Head Coach: Sam Ritchie
The Lafayette (Wildwood) wrestling program enters the 2025-26 season with sky-high expectations after another strong showing at the state tournament last year. Under head coach Sam Ritchie, the Lancers return one of the deepest and most experienced upper-weight lineups in Missouri, bolstered by elite leadership and a talented wave of newcomers ready to make an immediate impact.
Coaching Staff
Coach Ritchie will be supported by a large and experienced staff:
- Joe Wier
- Adam Hicks
- Jesse Zeugin
- Austin Stofer
- Matt Waeckerle
- Eric Covert
- Brian Sanguinet
- Alex Perry
- Derrick Swaney
- Chase Behrndt
Key Graduation Losses
While the cupboard is far from bare, Lafayette says goodbye to three state placers:
- Aidan Schoen – 5th at 150
- Jackson Tenny – 5th at 113
- Jeremiah Drake – 6th at 157
Returning State Placers & Qualifiers
The strength of this year’s squad starts with a loaded group of returners:
- Carter Brown (Jr.) – Returning state champion, Super 32 All-American (4th), currently ranked #10 in the nation
- Riley Sumner (Jr.) – Returning 3rd place
- Calum Brown (Sr.) – Returning 4th place
- Caleb Frankenberger (Jr.) – Returning 5th place
- Max Rowe (Jr.) – Returning 5th place
- Carter Welsh (Sr.) – Returning state qualifier
- Roosevelt White (Sr.) – Returning state qualifier
- Ahmad Ghuneim (Sr.) – 2023 state qualifier
Notable Newcomers
The future is bright with several high-pedigree freshmen and move-ins expected to compete for varsity spots right away:
- Will Been (Fr., 190) – USA Wrestling state champion
- Graeme Brown (Fr., 113) – USA Wrestling state medalist
- Anton Goncherenko (Fr.) – Another highly touted addition
Biggest Team Strength
“Amazing leadership from the junior and senior class,” Coach Ritchie says. “These kids have been wrestling together since they were little, and their passion for getting better together is contagious. That chemistry is our biggest weapon.”
Early-Season Highlights
- Carter Brown and Riley Sumner will kick off the year at the prestigious Ironman Tournament
- The full lineup heads to the Kinloch Classic Invitational (KCI)
- First home dual: a theater dual spectacle against Zumwalt North
Biggest Question Mark
How quickly the sophomore and freshman classes step up. With holes created by graduation and several weight classes still in flux, the Lancers will need underclassmen to grow up fast and contribute dual-meet points all season long.
Outlook
When you return a state champion ranked top-10 nationally, four additional state placers, and multiple senior leaders who’ve been in the room together for a decade, you’re a legitimate state-tournament contender. Add in one of the strongest freshman classes in recent memory, and Lafayette (Wildwood) has all the pieces to make a serious run at both a district title and a top finish at state in March.
The Lancers are deep, battle-tested, and hungry. Missouri Class 4 wrestling just got put on notice.
