The Lee’s Summit West wrestling program is one that has flown under the radar.
Afterall, the Titans have not captured a state plaque in program history. But could 2023 be the year? If last Saturday’s Coffman Invitational is any indication, the Titans could be a contender.
West took first place out of 18 teams to capture the tournament title at Truman High School in Independence with 227.5 points. Van Horn was second with 205.5 points and Springfield Glendale was third with 158 points.
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“It’s really been great,” West senior Nate Moore said. “We all came here and fought hard and saw good things. It feels great after having a smaller team the past three years to have such a great team with a bunch of eager freshmen that are learning and are so good and bring so much energy to our team.”
Moore was one of four Titans to capture individual titles on Saturday. In the 190-pounds weight class, the senior went 7-0 including a pin from the top position against Van Horn’s Andrew Murphy in the second period in the title bout.
“I kind of just feel it,” Moore said of when he goes for the pin. He turned down when I was on top and I just wrapped that half up in there and that was it.”
West sophomore Kallen Koelzer (106) has been on fire for the Titans to start the season as he improved to 10-0 on the season after winning his weight class in the Coffman Invitational. In his round-robin bracket, he got four pins and won his last match by a 15-0 tech fall against Glendale sophomore Arthur Pille.
“It’s a little bit surprising,” Koelzer said about his fast start to the season. “It’s kind of expected now. I am feeling really good. It wasn’t expected coming out, all last season was a little rough for me, but I plan on doing well for the rest of the year.”