Missouri Military Academy wrestling will be looking for new faces to emerge this season.
MMA had its one returning state qualifier and first 100-match winner Ryan Miles graduate and needs others …
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Missouri Military Academy wrestling will be looking for new faces to emerge this season.
MMA had its one returning state qualifier and first 100-match winner Ryan Miles graduate and needs others to step into leadership roles.
Head coach Levi Iman said the program has 38 wrestlers with 14 of them taking varsity spots to give the Colonels a full lineup. He said there are 24 non-varsity wrestlers challenging for a spot and wants to see growth and development from them but also needs leadership from his more experienced wrestlers.
“Our driving strengths this year are leadership and competitiveness,” Iman said. “We have a strong group of experienced leaders from our returners that have helped grow a competitive spirit amongst their younger teammates.”
Iman said MMA has six returning seniors including team captain Deonte Kerns. He said Kerns is coming in more determined to end his high school career on a good note. Juniors Daniel Bravo and Owen French bring “work ethic and confidence,” and junior William Pennington is a newcomer who wants to be competitive with the top wrestlers in the program.
Kerns and Bravo were among five MMA wrestlers who lost in the blood round at districts to fall one win shy of state. Miles set “a new standard” for the team at reaching 100 wins so Iman said Kerns wants to reach 100 wins as well.
“For this season, we are looking to capitalize on opportunities through tougher competition during the season to better prepare ourselves for districts,” Iman said. “With tougher scheduling along with more focus on mental toughness and a strong base of returners, we are hoping to earn five to six state qualifiers this year.”
On the other end of the class spectrum, Iman said freshman Caden Grace was MMA’s standout middle school wrestler who has emerged as a young leader.
“Our returners have experienced matches in their careers where the outcome was drawn not from technique or conditioning but mental fortitude,” Iman said. “We want to make sure that when the tough matches come, we are prepared in every aspect to come out on top.”
