Nevada Middle School wrestling team opens 2015 season in Columbus with eighth-place finish

The Nevada Middle School wrestling team opened its season with an eighth-place finish at the 15-team Columbus (Kan.) wrestling meet, Saturday.

Columbus results

1) Neosho (Mo.) 235.5 points

2) Seneca, 193

3) Webb City, 169

4) Caney (Kan.), 124

5) Pittsburg (Kan.), 119.5

6) Diamond (Mo.), 82

7) Columbus (Kan.), 76

8) Nevada, 72

9) Coffeyville (Kan.), 65

10) Miami (Okla.), 56

11) Adrian, 51

12) Erie (Kan.), 47.5

13) Frontenac (Kan), 26

14) Independence (Kan.), 22

15) Southeast (Kan.), 0.0

Looking ahead

NMS wrestling coach Mason Heard, said he is excited about the upcoming season.

"We have a strong group of kids with a wide range of experience level," Heard said. "This year will be spent improving technique and getting the kids prepared for the high school level, so that they may have successful careers when they get there."

Heard said he looks for his team to steadily improve throughout the season.

"At this level of the sport a successful season isn't measured by wins and losses but by how much each wrestler has improved from the first day of practice to the last," he said.

"I encourage all my wrestlers at the middle school level to continue their season after the middle school season is over by participating in the youth program where they have the chance to participate in districts and qualify-medal at state."

NMS eighth-grade wrestlers

* Gavin Urquidez

* Brock Marquardt

* Haiden Overton

* Kaleb Vestal

* Josh Henderson

* Zach Pettibon

* Bradon Stinett

* Tyler Armstrong

* Kaylen Morris

* Corbin Eastwood

NMS seventh-grade wrestlers

* Kayden Denney

* Dalton Barker

* Christopher Kapas

* Tretin Raney

* Octaveon Bartlett

* James Reiff

* Brayden Wilson

* Lane Brooks

NMS wrestling coaches: Robert Watts and Mason Heard.

2015 schedule (Home meets in bold)

* Nov. 16: Pittsburg, Miami, Columbus, Nevada quad @ Pittsburg, Kan. (Did not participate).

* Nov. 19: Adrian, Butler, Harrisonville, Nevada quad @ Adrian, 5 p.m.

* Dec. 1: Seneca, Carl Junction, Nevada Tri-meet @Seneca, 5:30 p.m.

* Dec. 3: Joplin South, dual meet, 5:30 p.m.

* Dec. 5: Seneca Tournament, 9 a.m.

* Dec. 7: Webb City dual meet, 5:30