They don’t bounce a ball or fly to the net, but Mexico High School wrestlers like to think they can create their own share of special moments this winter when their varsity season gets under way Saturday in the Grain Valley Classic.
Nick Hoth returns as Bulldog head coach and provides MHS fans with the following rundown. First home match for Mexico will be the Mexico Invitational on Dec. 13. The Bulldogs also will be home Dec. 16 against Helias and Dec. 18 against Centralia.
“I am very excited about this season; we only graduated one senior last year (Scott Booska). We have 9 returning starters from last year, including a great senior class consisting of Christian Blankenship at 103 pounds, DeVonte Shivers at 140, Zach Yager at 189, Chad Mattingly at 215/285, and returning state qualifier Brendan Stuart at 130. 
“Other returning wrestlers to keep an eye on this season are returning state qualifier Elliott Rice (junior) at 135, Zane Iman (sophomore) at 145, Brandon Acid (sophomore) at 152, Patrick Enslen (junior) at 160, Haylon Jacobs (sophomore) 171 and Jesse Gipson (sophomore) at 189. 
“It is a treat to have so many returning wrestlers who look to build on the successes they found last season. To complement the veterans on this team is a great class of freshman wrestlers who look to find varsity success early in their careers. 
“Jeremy Farris at 103/112, Sinjon Adams at 112, Dylan McClain at 125, Monterio Burton at 125, Levi Holmes at 140, Harrison Herman at 189, Solomon Feger at 189 and Josh Harlan at 215.
“Along with the freshman class are two new faces on the coaching staff, Dave Doss and Ryan Cross.  Each of these two coaches brings years of wrestling experience to the program, and both work extremely hard day in and day out to build this program.
“This season should be very exciting, the wrestlers have worked hard all preseason and are ready for our first competition this Saturday at the Grain Valley Invitational.”