Increased numbers and veteran leadership are all expected to be key components for the Madill High School wrestling team as it begins the 2024-25 campaign on the road this week.
Junior state qualifier Triston Barnes is expected to be one of the team’s catalysts along with Braxton Gimenez with that pair being constants in the 120- and 113-pound weight classes respectively.
The junior duo are expected to be the leaders both on and off the mat for a boys squadthatnumbersinexcess of 30 leaving head coach Andrew Pettigrew with plenty of options when filling all his weight divisions for dual competition.
“We are two or three deep at most weights, which is a good problem to have,” said Pettigrew. “In the past we have only had 16 to 18 in the wrestling room at times but now the numbers just mean more competition in the room, especially with our numbers of sophomores and freshmen. The leadership of Barnes and Gimenez is going to be valuable for us. Those two have worked their tails off and are seeing success. They set the example of exactly what we are looking for from those youngsters.
“We should be able to fill all the weight classes in most every dual and have a full lineup most of the season. That in itself should give us a chance in most every dual cause you’re not giving up points on forfeits. You always have a chance.”
Including Barnes and Gimenez, the Wildcats welcome back eight weight class regulars in the 14 divisions.
SophomoreSaulMartinez checks in at 106 pounds, senior Colton Sandefur returns at 126 with junior Aroddy Camacho at 138, sophomore Brylon Gibson will slide in again at eight 150 or 157 with senior Christian Robledo and sophomore Tyner Roberts at either 165 or 175 pounds.
Pettigrew is also looking forward to the return of sophomore Jackson Harper at likely 132 pounds as he returns in mid-January from injury.
Severalmembersofalarge freshmengroupcouldalsoget thrust into duty while filling the other six weight divisions.
The Lady Wildcats have their largest group as well with 18 participants at the high school level and Pettigrew foresees filling 12 of the 14 weight divisions for girls duals.
State qualifiers returning include juniors Madison Barrow and Madelyn Ritchie along with senior Morgan Walls. Barrow will grapple at 235 with Ritchie at 190 and Walls at 170.
Senior Kaia Henry will be the first girl at Madill to wrestle all four years of high school and will also be joined by fellow seniors Andie Wallace, Codie Shaw and Allie Barthel in the starting slate. Returning in the group as well will be Kaydence Bourland at 140 pounds and Camila Vargas at 145.
Pettigrew, who has coached pretty much the entire high school group since their start in junior high, sees very good chances for three or four boys and four or five girls to qualify for the state tournament when February rolls around.
“I am really excited about our opportunities,” the Madill coach stated. “We have beenworkingextremelyhard in the room, have gotten rid of distractions and are ready.
“I’ve been able to coach all but one boy and two girls since junior high when they startedintheprogram.When you’ve been around someone that long you know their ceiling and what they are able to produce. That should be a hugeadvantagetoknowwhat they are capable of.”
Pettigrew was also excited about the junior high numbers this year, which includes 41 boys and up to 16 girls.
There will be a plethora of chances for mat time for the large number of grapplers in the very first week of the season as they will participate in a dual tournament at Frisco, Texas on Friday with four to five matches each before competing in individual tournament action at the same location on Saturday.
“We are going to get a whole lot of mat time early on and can make changes that we need to make,” Pettigrew added. “It will be an early preview to show us where we are right off the bat.”
Pettigrew will have plenty of solid assistance from legendary head coach Dan Pettigrew alongwithPeterHammer and Donovan Goodno.
Madill’s first home action of the season is slated for December 19 when Durant comes to town for a dual.