It is clear to new head coach Brock Davis that North Callaway boys wrestling is in a good state.

Davis takes over after being an assistant coach at Father Tolton, a college wrestler at Westminster College in Fulton and a high school wrestler at Rock Bridge. He will lead the Thunderbirds program that had its first ever state champion a season ago with Lane Kimbley and returns a talented roster that includes a state medalist and another state qualifier.

Davis pointed out the “small world” that exists between North Callaway and Tolton as he coached under Ross Rosenbaum, who started the wrestling program at North Callaway. On top of that, Jadon Henry also coached at Tolton last season following some time coaching with the Thunderbirds.

“When I decided it was time to take the next step, as soon as I decided, it was the next week I saw this program was hiring a head coach,” Davis said. “Ross was like, ‘You would be a perfect fit.’ I interviewed and am really liking it so far.”

Davis said he “strictly focused on the wrestling” in his almost a decade experience as an assistant coach but found out quickly there is “a lot more administrative stuff” early in his first season as a head coach. However, he said the transition has been enjoyable due to how excited and receptive the community and wrestlers have been.

“I’ve done my best to try and make experiences and make myself known,” Davis said. “The parent community and wrestlers have already bought in, and we’re not even rolling yet.”

Davis said there will be about 25 wrestlers with about 75 percent being underclassmen but are younger wrestlers with talent and experience. Collin Moore is a sophomore but earned a third-place state medal last season for the best finish ever by a North Callaway freshman.

There are a bunch of freshmen this season that can make an impact this season, Davis said, since they have wrestled before. While they aren’t 10-12 year wrestlers, he said he can expect more out of them from the beginning.

“I’m going to have a really big group in here, and I’ve got a really big group of kids that are right there on the edge of stepping up and being the next state champ,” Davis said.

Casper Safranski is a senior that has taken multiple trips to state, including last season when he was one match away from a medal but lost an overtime match by sudden victory. Davis said Safranski has shown good leadership on the football field so expects the same in the wrestling room.

“He is going to be a big-time leader for the program,” Davis said. “He is type of man I expect to be a leader in my room, based on his personality, how he treats people and how he works.”

North Callaway won its first ever state championship last season after winning the Greater Missouri Wrestling Conference tournament. Davis said he can see the Thunderbirds having the potential for ever greater team glory this or next season, namely a state plaque.

“My individuals, they have some goals that could be podium-worthy, for sure,” Davis said. “As a team, I am definitely looking to get a plaque. It would be really cool. I have been lucky enough to step into a team that probably could have done it without me. With me stepping in now, I’d like to think I can help secure that goal.”