The Mexico boys wrestling will look to loosen up before districts in about two weeks.

Mexico at North Callaway Quad Photo Gallery

The Bulldogs won two of three duals at North Callaway on Tuesday, Jan. 30, defeating California 47-18 and Mack's Creek 66-12 and losing 40-33 to Class 1 state-ranked North Callaway. Grant Van Horn led the way with three match victories, and Carlos Juarez Ramirez, Watson Azdell, Emille Scanavino, Grant Walker also won multiple matches for Mexico.

Head coach Gayle Adams said the Bulldogs had a couple more meets and tournaments scheduled over the same week of North Callaway’s quad before taking a weekend competition break for districts at Boonville. He said his wrestlers definitely have that on their minds.

"They're all wrestling really tight right now because they know districts are coming up," Adams said. "They want to make sure everything is clean, they know their record and their competition is big right now. We got to let things flow a little bit better. We saw some good attacks (tonight). They're all fighting and getting to where we need to get them to at the end of the year."

Adams said there are always adjustments to be made, like defensive techniques, but he likes the team’s progress. He admitted some of the kids are a little “beat up” and will need some time to recover before districts.

“When we’re on the attack, we’re tough,” Adams said. “When we’re scoring, we’re going to be winning. We’ve got some good things coming for districts.”

The returning two-time state medalist Grant Van Horn wants to qualify to compete for his third state medal in as many years and picked up three more victories, including two via pinfall and one via technical fall, to give the Bulldogs a boost on Tuesday. Adams said the 157-pound Van Horn is at the top of the list when it comes for wrestlers with good postseason prospects. 

“You’ve got to like Grant,” Adams said. “I’ve been saying since his freshman year that he’s in the running for a state title anytime he goes out there.”

Though the returning Van Horn has a good chance of making it back to state, Adams said the Bulldogs have some wrestlers that weren’t with them last year: freshman Carlos Juarez Ramirez and senior Emille Scanavino.

Juarez Ramirez won by technical fall and then a 2-0 decision when the 106-pounder was bumped up 113 against North Callaway. He is ranked in the top three in the state in his weight class and has earned that distinction with several top-three finishes, including some first-places, at tournaments. The start has been just as quick as the freshman on the mat.

“I like to say he has an advantage because he’s had two older brothers that have come through the program,” Adams said. “He knows what we like, he knows what we’re looking for and he wants to go out and put on a show. He understands what he’s got to do to get better, and he’s having fun right now. That’s what you want out of your kids.”

Scanavino has plenty of experience in the program but just not as much as he’d like in competition. The 285-pounder has been plagued by injuries the past two years and is making the most of his time back this season, owning many top-three finishes including some first-place along with Van Horn and Juarez Ramirez. 

Adams describes Scanavino as a “gamer” and is “ready to roll” after spending so much time out. While the competitive experience isn’t as high, he said Scanavino’s program experience full of wrestling knowledge has been valuable to the Bulldogs.

“Emille has lost two years so he’s a sophomore as a senior,” Adams said. “We wish we had him two more years, but he is helping our younger heavyweights get better. That’s what a good senior does. He knows he can’t wrestle forever, so he’s helping our younger guys get better.”

Adams said those three are the leaders and the rest are “dogs and they’re fighting,” such as returning state qualifier Watson Azdell, Kyler Carr, Grant Walker and Jayden Hodge. 

“They’re young still,” Adams said. “They’re chances are coming around, and they’re going to get this done.”