The Republic wrestling program honored three seniors at its annual home tournament Saturday. Justin Rogers, Paden Lucero, who’ve both been a part of the program for four years, were joined by team newcomer Clay Arnold. Arnold joined the team this year for the first time.
“In the four years (Rogers and Lucero) have been here, we’ve gone from a team where we’ve struggled to fill weight classes, and where wrestling is not known, to getting a little more support. The program’s grown since they’ve been a part of it,” says Coach Jerry Morton.
Rogers was a state qualifier last season as a junior. Morton says he has taken an important leadership role this year.
“He’s a hard-nosed kid. He wants to win,” Morton says. “He’s going to push you. He’s going to make you better by him getting better.”
Lucero’s role on the team has grown during his senior season, after being a solid part of the program in previous years.
“Anytime you’ve needed him to fill in, in the past, he’s been there,” Morton says. “And then this year, he’s taken on a spot of his own and solidified a spot in the lineup.”
Arnold, who resisted Morton’s effort to recruit him to the team in earlier years, finally took the plunge this season.
“He’s a kid that the last couple years, I’ve tried to get him out, and he said, ‘No, Mr. Morton, I wouldn’t be any good,'” Morton says. “Then finally he came out this year, and he got down to 220 pounds, and he’s a guy who, every time he goes onto the mat, he’s going to give you everything he has. He works hard and he pushes himself, and you know when he gets done, that’s all he had, win or lose.”
Willard walked away with the tournament championship, far out-distancing second-place Carthage. Rolla finished third. Republic finished in the middle of the pack, at seventh.
Morton says hosting the 14-team tournament is good for the team, and good for the program.
“I think it builds community awareness. Kids see it, you get lots of questions during the week,” says Morton. “I think it helps out that way, otherwise if all our meets are away or in the evenings, some people just don’t have the opportunity to get here.”