In the intense world of youth wrestling—where future stars are developed and legends begin their journey; the annual VAC Holiday Duals stands as one of the premier competitions in the country. This isn’t just another tournament; it’s an event that has helped shape some of the sport’s biggest names, including Olympic gold medalist Kyle Snyder, three-time NCAA Division I National Champion Zain Retherford, and World Champion Trent Hidlay.
This year, 13 talented wrestlers from Missouri took the stage, not just to compete, but to prove they belong on the national level. These athletes stepped onto the mats with toughness, confidence, and determination representing Missouri wrestling with pride. Competing at one of the toughest youth tournaments in the country, their performances reflected grit, talent, and a relentless pursuit of success.
Elementary Division (36 Teams)
Missouri wrestlers competing in the Elementary Division included:
- Billy Roberts (Greater Heights) wrestled for Minnesota Funky Singlets, finishing 8-2 and helping his team secure 3rd place overall.
- Ren Tse (Greater Heights) wrestled for Team S.W.A.T. (MI), going 8–2 and contributing to a 5th-place team finish.
- Landon Edwards (Xtreme Trained) wrestled for Team S.W.A.T. (MI), finishing with a 7–3 record and helping the team earn 5th place overall.
- Koby Waterkotte (FH Jr. Vikings) wrestled for Cali-Red, going 7–3 and helping his team place 7th overall.
- Maxwell Hunsel (Greater Heights) wrestled for Rough House, finishing 2–8 as his team placed 12th overall.
- Henry Hunsel (Greater Heights) wrestled for The Untouchables (MN), going 7–3 and helping his team finish 15th overall.
Women’s Division (12 Teams)
Missouri representation in the Women’s Division included:
- Zainab Albadri (Greater Heights) wrestled for POWA (CO), finishing 8–3 and helping secure a team championship.
- Ava Rife (Palmyra) also wrestled for POWA (CO), going 8–3 record and contributing to the championship victory.
- Kinsley Rife (Palmyra) wrestled for Minnesota Funky Singlets, finishing 5–6, helping her team earn 3rd place overall.
Middle School Division (36 Teams)
Missouri wrestlers competing in the Middle School Division included:
- Quentin Neal Jr. (Greater Heights) wrestled for Team PA/USA, finishing 9–1 and helping secure the championship title.
- Maxwell Countryman (Angry Fish) wrestled for Team Gotcha (IL), finishing 4–6 as his team placed 7th overall.
- Hawk Smith (Greater Heights) wrestled for Backyard Brawlers (GA), finishing 3–7 and helping his team place 8th overall.
- Chasen Burke (Xtreme Trained) wrestled for Michigan S.W.A.T., finishing 8–2 for a 9th-place team finish.
- Jacobi Robbins (Greater Heights) wrestled for Michigan S.W.A.T., finishing 5–5 and helping secure a 9th-place team finish.
Final Thoughts
The young wrestlers from Missouri showcased exceptional skill, resilience, and determination at the 2025 VAC Holiday Duals. Their performances offered an exciting glimpse into the bright future of Missouri wrestling. Competing against the nation’s best, these athletes displayed strong teamwork, competitive grit, and results that reflect their dedication and hard work.
However, this strong showing also highlights an important issue that deserves attention within Missouri’s wrestling community. To consistently compete for national titles and reach the highest levels of the sport, Missouri must address the growing trend of outsourcing its top-tier talent to out-of-state national dual teams.
The talent, coaching, and passion already exist within our state. Now is the time to invest in building unified Missouri-based teams that compete on the national stage. Doing so will strengthen state pride, keep elite athletes training together, and establish a clear pathway for development that carries through high school and college.
This isn’t just about winning championships it’s about building a lasting legacy for Missouri wrestling and ensuring our athletes have the opportunity to represent their home state at the highest levels. The talent is already here. Now, it’s time to commit to creating the opportunities that keep it here.
