MONTEZUMA – There’s more activity going on in the Montezuma High School wrestling room at the start of this season.
That’s because 15 boys are out for the sport. That’s more than the Braves have had in some recent seasons.
They’re spread out through the weight classes, too. That means most will be able to find suitable workout partners in tne wrestling room, and the Braves will fill more weight classes during meets.
It means more to the competitors when they look at meet results and know they were a big part of whatever successes the team has.
The Braves will be led into action by senior 285-pounder Braxton Plants, who placed fourth in the Class 1A state meet at 215 pounds a year ago.
Braxton set a new school record for most wins in a season by a Brave – 51, within hours after older brother, Brett, had reset it at 50 wins just hours earlier last season. Brett placed 8th at 190 pounds in last year’s state meet.
Their dad, Mike Plants, returns as Montezuma’s head wrestling coach. He is being assisted by Dustin Stowell.
Montezuma returns other wrestlers who placed in the Class 1A district meet last year.
Wesley Ross was third at 113 pounds.
Ethan DesRochers placed third at 132.
In order to make it to state, a wrestler has to place first or second at the district state qualifier.
Rett Pargeon was fourth at 144.
Montezuma will appear at home three times this season at the varsity level. The Montezuma Invitational takes place on Dec. 12 and the team will host multi-school team dual meets on two occasions.
The Braves were set to host one of their team duals on Thursday, Dec. 4.
Braves wrestling roster
106 – Karson Ross, frosh
113 – Jaxson Young, frosh
132 – Wesley Ross, soph
138 – Kaden Baetsle, soph
144 – Cade Lowry, junior
144 – Wylie Walters, soph
144 – Cael Cheney, junior
150 – Ethan DesRochers, soph
157 – Rett Pargeon, junior
165 – Owen DesRochers, senior
165 – Connor Hervey, frosh
190 – Yudiel Gonzalez, junior
215 – Jaxson Tish, frosh
215 – Isaac Wedgewood, senior
285 – Braxton Plants, senior