BENTONVILLE — Bentonville lost a pair of state champions to graduation off last year’s team, which finished third in the Class 6A-7A state wrestling tournament, but coach Bill Desler believes this year’s team has the potential to be strong, too.
“Every team is gonna lose good kids,” Desler said. “Hopefully throughout the season you’re able to teach them something. Robert Lewis was a kid who started wrestling in eighth grade and became a three-time state champion. We could have another three-time state champion on the team right now.”
Lewis is one of the two champions from last season, who graduated and is now wrestling at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia. Andy McDowell also claimed a state title at 170 last season, but exhausted his eligibility.
But the Tigers return four medalists from a year ago led by senior Kyson Larsen, who finished second at 182 and lost in double overtime.
“Kyson was in the second overtime and all he had to do was get away and he’d win,” Desler said. “That kid graduated.”
Other returning medalists are Jared Conover (fifth at 285), Austin Tull Cochrane (fourth at 138) and Aaron Grigsby (third at 120).
Grigsby, who is only a sophomore, and Tull Cochrane both spent much of the summer wrestling and should be strong, Desler said.
He also said Conover and Larsen should be leaders of the group.
Desler pointed to those who were only a win or two away from medaling a year ago.
“Xavier Domineack was a match from the medal round and he’s only a sophomore this year,” Desler said. “Ryan Grimes, a junior, was right there and so was Tony Ellis. Those guy have potential to be key guys.
“Ryan is probably one of our top athletes.”
Desler expects to be strong at the heavier weight classes led by Conover and Larsen, but the Tigers also have some depth at the lighter weights.
“From about 120 to 138 we’re gonna have some battles,” Desler said. “We have a lot of kids in those areas and a lot of them have been wrestling. It’ll be interesting.”
Desler said Rogers High would likely be a favorite to win a state title, but hopes his team can also be in the hunt.
He will find out something about his team early as the Tigers open the season against strong competition at a dual tournament in Jay, Okla., on Nov. 30, then participate in the NWA Duals at Springdale Har-Ber on Dec. 7-8.
Bentonville Tigers Wrestling Schedule
Date Location Time
Nov. 30-Dec. 1 Jay, Okla. Dual Tournament TBD
Dec. 7-8 NWA Dual Tournament at Springdale Har-Ber TBD
Dec. 11 McDonald County, Mo., Miami Okla. 6 p.m.
Dec. 14-15 at Miami, Okla., Invitational TBD
Dec. 27-28 at Springfield, Mo., Tournament TBD
Jan. 4-5 at Inola, Okla., Tournament TBD
Jan. 8 at Fayetteville 6 p.m.
Jan. 12 at Berryville Tournament TBD
Jan. 15 at Fort Smith Northside 6 p.m.
Jan. 19 Tiger Classic TBD
Jan. 22 at Berryville 6 p.m.
Jan. 25-26 at Seneca, Mo., Tournament TBD
Feb. 5 at Rogers Heritage 6 p.m.
Feb. 7 vs. Fayetteville 6 p.m.
Feb. 16 Big West Tournament at FS Northside TBD
Feb. 22-23 State Tournament at LR TBD