Kingston miscues to open eaLarge participation numbers and wealth of returning experience leaves plenty of reason for optimism for Madill wrestling heading into the 2025-26 season that began this week against Lone Grove.
The Wildcat boys’ squad shouldn’t have any trouble filling weight divisions for dual competition with 40 participants coupled with a record 14 girls grapplers as well.
On the girls’ side, the Lady Wildcats welcome back a pair of state placers along with several others that should have an excellent chance of reaching the state tournament.
Senior Madelyn Ritchie claimed fourth place at 190 pounds last year while sophomore Anglena Mendiola was third at heavyweight. They’ll be joined in the veteran department by senior Madison Barrow, who is dropping to 170 pounds this year after being a state qualifier two seasons ago.
Juniors Kaydence Bourland and Janelle Mancillas will add some experience as well, but the key to Madill’s dual success may come from a multi-talented crew of freshmen.
Samantha Ortiz had a ton of success at 102 pounds as a junior high conference placer. Hannah Pruitt is a capable offseason move in from Lone Grove while Lexi Willis should help fill the lower weight divisions.
“We should be able to fill 10 of the 14 weight classes, maybe even more with the amount of girls we have and how they are spread out,” said head coach Austin Pettigrew. “Having two senior state qualifiers is great to lead the way. Two state placers last year really signified and showed girls wrestling is only growing here.
“We are very excited about this year. We are going to have a couple of girls duals and depending how the weight classes go, feel like Ortiz, Pruitt and Bourland could all have a solid chance at reaching state along with Ritchie, Mendiola and Barrow.”
A veteran nucleus on the boys’ side leaves plenty of room for optimism from the Madill coaching staff with experience across the board at nearly every weight class. Leading that charge is the senior leadership of Braxton Gimenez, Aroddy Camacho, Landon Clutter and Ramiro Rangel.
Gimenez is a former regional placer and penciled in at 113 pounds. Camacho is expected to fill the 144-pound division, Rangel returns to the mat to compete at heavyweight with Clutter hopefully back to 100 percent after his season was derailed by injury last year. He should fill either 157 or 165 pounds.
The junior class is expected to excel as well with returning conference placer Darian Perez at 120 pounds. Pettigrew has high hopes for Brylon Gibson at 175 pounds along with Florida move in Bryce Culp, who has experience at both 150 and 157 pounds. Coltyn McQueary andJacksonHarperwillhave a chance to make impacts as well.
Madill’s sophomore catalysts are slated to be fueled by Canyon Phillips, likely at 106 pounds after he captured the conference tournament title a season ago. Xavier Diaz should get the early nod at 190 pounds with Dayton Gimenez penciled in at 126. Enrique Martinez is another talented second year varsity grappler that has great potential.
FreshmenBraydenValles, BlaneDoer,StephenMoreno, Alex Cerabia and Rodrigo Cruces lead an extremely athletic group of youngsters thatwillhavetheopportunity to fill in several spots as the season goes along.
“We have a whole lot of kids back and many of them had success a year ago,” Pettigrew added. “We are excited to see them grow and feel like many of them can be very successful. We struggled with some injuries at the middle weight classes last year but we aren’t quite as worried about that with the depth we have there now.
“We aren’t afraid of competition. That’s the only way we are going to get better. I’m also excited about the staff we have that wants to help build the program to where we think it can be.” Wrestling Schedule Dec. 2- Lone Grove - Home Dec. 11 - Davis - Away Dec. 12-13 - Carrollton, Texas tourney - Away Dec. 16 - Comanche - Away Jan. 8 - Durant - Away Jan. 13 - McAlester - Home Jan. 17 - Madill Tournament - Home Jan. 22 - District Duals Away Jan. 24 - Ardmore Tournament - Away Jan. 27 - Ada - Home Jan. 30-31- Conference Tournament - Away Feb. 3 - Ardmore - Away