OHS Wrestling enters the second half of their 2019-2020 season 10-1 in dual meets. Despite the one loss to Windsor, Coach Ben Knol believes the team has improved from the last two seasons.

“Two years ago,” Knol says, “we did not win any duals.” Last year, varsity won 11 duals. And this year, their first half of the season’s record is 10-1 with several dual matches ahead of them. 

A key contributor to the successful season has been captian Ibgragim Makhmudov (11) with a 26-3 record in duals, conferences, and tournaments together.

The three matches differ significantly. In tournaments, individuals compete as individuals, but are still scored on overall team points. The better they compete individually, the better they do as a team.

Duals, however, are scored differently than tournaments are. Duals are comprised of fourteen separate weight classes that compete against wrestlers from different schools. It is also an individual match that scores by team points. 

Although both are important, conference are the most anxiously anticipated meets. These meets are designed for a set of schools to compete in a specific pool. OHS competes in the Suburban Green Pool with other schools including Affton, Parkway Central, McCluer, and others.

The second half of the season calls for conference results, which is a contributing factor as to why Knol is looking forward to the future. Another reason is state.

“We have a few people who are looking good [for state], but I don’t want to jinx it.” 

Those selected will travel to Columbia, MO Feb. 20-22 to wrestle in the Missouri State High School Activities Association (or MSHSAA) State Wrestling Tournament.  

“The team had an amazing start to the season, and I am looking forward to the second half,” Knol added.

The team is scheduled to compete again at the Lindbergh Quad with Mehlville and Chaminade on Jan. 15.