The Fort Osage boys wrestling team had a banner season in 2024-25.
For the first time in program history, the Indians had three state champions at the Missouri State High School Wrestling Championships last March.
The Indians finished in eighth place at the state tournament with 84.5 points. While Fort Osage lost one of its most accomplished wrestlers, Colby Gray, to graduation, it returns two of those state champions and six others who have been in the varsity lineup in the past.
Coming into this season, Fort Osage will come in with a lineup mixed with youth and experience. Seniors Isaac Ward and Kaison Schreier are returning state champions and will be leaders on the squad.
Senior Antonio Martinez comes back as a returning state qualifier along with junior Luke Steffens, who qualified for state as a freshman. Others coming back with experience include juniors Gabe Allen, Dawson Lucas, Brendan Mathis and seniors Steven Thomas and Nathan Parker.
Some newcomers that could see time in the lineup include freshman Breenan Leads, who will likely be wrestling in the 106-pound weight class, freshman Kalel Phillips and sophomore Grant Dunn.
“I think we are pretty good,” Schreier said. “I think we have some freshmen who might shock some people because they are pretty good. A lot of people have gotten better since last year like Luke Steffens. I think he has a good chance of getting on the podium this year. He’s progressed a lot in the offseason.
“Brenden Leeds has stood a lot to me. He has a lot of good techniques. As a freshman, I did a lot of dumb, shortcut stuff. I see a lot of that in him. For the most part, he does the technique right.”
Added head coach Brandon Wackerman: “Steven Thomas has been wrestling varsity on and off for the past four years. We have some new guys entering the lineup. Some of them are juniors and seniors wrestling varsity for the first time. They are showing progress.
“We have a lot of multi-sport guys. The numbers are really high. We have around 40 guys. It’s a good group. We have a good mixture of youth and experience.”
Schreier is returning as a two-time state champion. After an undefeated sophomore season, he finished 44-1 and ended his season with a 12-0 major decision over Park Hill’s Mason Brayfield in the Class 4 state title bout at 113.
He anticipates bumping up to the 126- or 132-pound weight class, but doesn’t anticipate having to change his style too much despite the weight change.
“I will continue to wrestle like myself and I think I have a good chance of winning a state title,” Schreier said. “I have been working on finishing my shots and getting to my stuff on top. I have been working on a better stance and better footwork.”
Ward won his first state title in March as he finished 46-5 and defeated Hickman’s Beau Waldron 4-1 in overtime in the championship bout at 175.
This season he will bump up to 190 as he looks to close his career out with two state championships and is also looking to join a college wrestling program.
“I have been trying to get bigger for college,” Ward said. “I have got to get bigger. I have had a couple of colleges reach out, but I am keeping options open. I usually go to the gym. Tony’s father lifts a lot and gives me some workouts to do.
“I just need to focus on myself. That got me a long way last year.”
Martinez is looking for his first state medal going into this season. He had some big wins over ranked opponents like Staley’s Zayne Reynolds and Liberty’s Cade Dunn, and he’s looking to build off those big wins.
He finished last season with a 40-11 record and is looking to improve his offense.
“I am feeling pretty confident,” Martinez said. “I have been working all offseason. I am ready. I have been working on top and bottom and shot finishes. I really need to work on my shots because they have not been the best.”
“I focus on pushing the pace and try to control the match and make it my match.”
Girls
On the girls side, it also had a solid mix of youth and experience and are also adding two freshmen who have had a lot of success at the youth level.
Senior Kylie Dunn had a breakout season in 2024-25 and finished fourth at state with a 41-4 record.
This year, she is aiming for a state championship as she plans on wrestling in the 125- or 130-pound division.
“I like how everything turned out,” Dunn said of last season. “I wish I could have done better. I have been working on increasing my strength. I wasn’t happy with how strong I was last year. I want to work on my speed a little more. I have been lifting, doing ab workouts and push ups.”
The Indians also bring in multiple state qualifiers including juniors Madison Lightner and Isabelle Adams; and sophomores Hali Windes. Wackerman said sorting out his lineup and figuring out who will wrestle at each weight class will be the biggest challenge.
“A lot of the girls are around the same weight so they are sorting that out on the weight chart,” Wackerman said.
The Indians also add freshmen Jauzlyean Gray and Ariel Biggs. Despite their age, they have wrestled a lot at the youth level and have won multiple tournaments.
“They have accomplished a lot before coming to high school,” Wackerman said. “They have done a lot in the sport already.
“They’re going to learn where they need to get to. No kid quite knows the difference between wrestling a 14 year old and an 18 year old until they actually do it. We have some really tough tournaments to start the year. There is enough parity in the room, there is a lot of incentive to work hard. They are going to add a lot of excitement to a team that’s already really good.”
