Michael Smith
Injuries are hitting the Fort Osage boys wrestling team at the most inopportune time.
Just nine days before the Class 4 District 4 Tournament begins, Senior Gavin Gallman wrestled through a lateral collateral ligament tear which caused him to miss more than two weeks of duals and tournaments.
Interviews:
- Fort Osage head coach Brandon Wackerman
- Fort Osage’s Luke Steffens (113)
- Fort Osage’s Kaiden Johnson (126)
- Fort Osage’s Gavin Gallman (215)
- Fort Osage’s Grayson Moore (144)
Sophomore Antonio Martinez suffered a knee injury in the Oak Grove Panther Classic last weekend that will keep him out for the rest of the season.
In Wednesday’s dual against Oak Park, the Indians also were without junior Colby Gray, who was out with an illness. That left Fort Osage shorthanded but it still had enough firepower to earn a 47-27 victory against the Northmen at home.
“We have had some injuries and attrition recently and we were missing a two-time state medalist out today,” Fort Osage head coach Brandon Wackerman said. “The dual was a lot closer than it could have been. I told everyone, don’t just do enough. Do more than is expected. Get another takedown, get another turn.”
That’s exactly what Gallman (215 pounds), ranked No. 3 in Class 4, did as he’s not wrestling at 100 percent health, he said. He pinned Shko Mhadi in the first period to improve to 30-3 and help the Indians finish the season with a dual record of 14-0.
“I am just blocking (the pain) out right now because I want to finish the matches,” Gallman said. “I am getting better, a lot better.
“I took him down and got on top and threw a wrist and a half in and got the pin.”
Added Wackerman: “He gives us a lift and he gives us energy. He gives us a veteran presence in those upper weights.”
That energy seemed to transfer over to junior Grayson Moore (144). He controlled….
