Grain Valley senior Dru Azcona got a late start to this season.

Before the season he tore some cartilage in his ribs and had to miss the entire month of December for the Grain Valley wrestling team.

On Wednesday, he wrestled his first match of the season and made the most of it during a Suburban White Conference dual against Raytown. 

He jumped out to an 8-2 lead against Kaseem Bedford and earned a pin in 2 minutes and 38 seconds in the 132-pound match to help the Eagles dominate in a 69-9 blowout at Raytown High School.

Video Interviews:

• Grain Valley’s Dru Azcona (132)
• Grain Valley’s Collin Burd (190)
• Grain Valley’s Ethan Jones (138)
• Grain Valley’s Camary Schmalzbach (135)
• Raytown’s Amaya Johnson (130)
• Raytown’s Carlos Thomas (157)

Before his first match, Azcona was champing at the bit to compete in his first match of the season and felt healthy going in.

“First thing was to make sure I was stretched and make sure I was all good before going on the mat,” said Azcona, who finished fourth at state in his weight class last season. “I have been practicing and I have been feeling a lot better. I feel 100 percent and I think I showed it.” 

Azona wasn’t the only Eagle to make his return after a lengthy absence. Returning state medalist Tanner Barker (165) didn’t wrestle but earned a forfeit victory in his first meet back after suffering a shoulder injury during the Grain Valley Wrestling Tournament on Dec. 3.