Jackets ready to grapple with season

Duals may be a struggle for the Kingfisher High School boys wrestling team this season.

Tournaments, however, may offer a chance for more success.

“I’m excited for the upcoming season and optimistic about the individual success our wrestlers can achieve,” said coach Steven Wilson.

The Jackets’ season is officially in motion.

KHS traveled to Hinton for a dual on Tuesday.

The boys head to Newkirk this weekend for a dual tournament while the ladies travel southwest for Cache’s Wrestle Like a Girl Invitational.

Next Tuesday, the teams venture to Chickasha for a dual and the teams conclude December competition next Friday and Saturday with the Kingfisher High School Tournament.

Wilson is fully prepared for a mixed bag of results depending on the type of competition.

“Team success may be challenging due to potential open spots in the lower and middle weights,” he said.

However, Wilson added, it won’t change the goal of Wilson, assistant coach Jacob Farrell and lay coaches Matt Branum and T.J. Wallace.

“Our primary focus remains on personal growth and development,” Wilson said. “The coaches have emphasized a return to fundamentals and building a strong foundation.”

Those who are expected to contribute heavily to the success are junior Jaxon Sheppard and senior Brayden Kochenower.

Sheppard is a two-time state qualifier and will be seeking his third trip to state this season.

Wilson projects him to compete at 144 pounds.

Kochenower burst onto the scene as a sophomore in 2023-24 and reached the 138-pound championship match at state.

Kochenower didn’t compete last season, but returns to the lineup for his senior campaign and is again projected at 138 pounds.

Among the other returning contributors are seniors Abe Prieto at 157 pounds and TJ Washington, who is working his way down to 190 pounds.

Also on that list are juniors Chase Price at 150 or 157, Maliki Haynes at 126 and Aden Johnson at 165.

While Washington works his way down to 190, Wilson will be counting on senior Andrew Takape to fill that weight for a number of varsity events.

Juniors Erik Rojo and Jack Barnett will both be competing for the Jackets’ heavyweight spot.

Chance Dunn, a sophomore, is expected to push for a spot at 144 pounds “and will play an important role in duals,” Wilson said.

The Jackets are also expecting big things from freshmen Kaden Willms at 120 pounds.

“He’s highly talented with experience in major matches over the past three years,” Wilson said.

In tournaments, as in years past, KHS will compete at the Class 3A level.

However, the Jackets are in Class 4A for duals.

This year the program is in District 4A-2 along with the likes of Tecumseh, Douglass…. and Tuttle.

The Tigers are the premier program in the class and have been for some time.

Tuttle has 22 dual state championships, including 16 in a row. Both are state records.

“They remain dominant across all classes and present a tough matchup for any team,” Wilson said.

However, he added that the Jackets “match up well” with both Tecumseh and Douglass.

“We have a strong oppora tunity to finish second in our district,” he said.

The district duals will be Jan. 22 at Tuttle.

KHS will host the Western Conference Tournament on Jan. 16-17 and have home duals with Marlow (Jan. 27), Perry (Feb. 3) and Clinton (Feb. 10).

While the tournament will be at the APB, the program has found a home at Heritage gym for duals.

“It has become a great environment over the last two years and has a great atmosphere,” Wilson said.

All the while, the Jackets will work toward regional and - hopefully - state.

“Many of our wrestlers have already invested countless hours preparing for the season,” Wilson said. “I’m confident that with continued hard work and determination, we can meet – and exceed – our expectations.”

( Editor’s note: Look for a preview of the KHS girls in an upcoming edition.)