The Blue Springs wrestling team is one that has been rebuilding for the past few years.
The program has slowly been getting better and during the 2025-26 season, it’s proving to be more competitive in duals.
That was apparent in the Wildcats’ Senior Night dual against Van Horn Tuesday as they had six wrestlers get pins in a dominant 61-14 victory at home.
“We have a good group of young kids,” Blue Springs first-year head coach Alan Hull said. “Bobbe Lowe laid the foundation for us. Part of this belongs to him. The kids are all buying in and we are doing some good things.”
Two seniors showed that on Tuesday as Dodge DiGusto (175) and Brock Combs (157) picked up wins.
Combs used a chicken wing from the top position in the second period to turn Dylan Cox and get a pin in 2:30 to end his Senior Night on a high note.
“I was a little nervous,” Combs said. “I didn’t want to lose in front of everybody but I went out there and got the (win). I wanted to keep the pace high and control the wrists.”
DiGusto got a pin of his own against Damae Trussell as he used a half nelson following a takedown to get a win by fall in 1:20.
“It was pretty surreal. These four years went by fast,” DiGusto said. “This is my last season, so I am trying to give it my all.
“I noticed they didn’t have the same conditioning we had, so I tried to push the pace. He eventually gave out and I got him on his back.”
Sophomore Owen Moore (165) stepped in and wrestled in his first varsity match against Logan Chamberlin and showed he could wrestle at this level. He got a takedown and hooked in a cradle for a pin in 1:27.
“I felt pretty good. I was pretty nervous, but I got the pin,” Moore said. “I was pretty happy with myself.”
Other Blue Springs competitors to pick up wins were:
106: Ian Kephart took a 15-0 tech fall victory over Tyler Harman.
113: Becorth Moore earned a 15-0 tech fall victory of his own against Christopher Feaster.
120: Timothy Ekart pinned Darren Faustlin in 3:55.
132: Rylon Collier won by fall over Emilio Hernandez in 2:17.
144: Kolby Ginnings edged Antonio Bonomo 5-4.
150: Jackson Paulson won by forfeit.
190: Kade Schmidli won by fall against Gunnar Faustlin in 4:29.
285: Carter Atagi won by forfeit.
For Van Horn, KeJuan Porter (126 pounds) topped Anthony Venegas 3-0; Dominick Paige (138) took a 17-2 tech fall over Aiden Bowman; and Devon Bellis (215) overcame a 7-0 deficit to get a reversal and pin against Addox Sharky-Beebee.
Girls
On the girls side, Blue Springs dominated, as well, earning a 59-6 victory.
Aubrey Schaefer (113) won by pin over Yoselin Rodas Calderon; Kiley DiGusto (126) won by a 17-2 tech fall against Izabella Castillo Gutierrez; Ari Bartholomew (155) pinned Isabel Hamm in 21 seconds; Christy Horton (190) pinned Alexa Albor in 1:01; and Peytyn Conard (120), Reace Woodruff (126), Natalie Dutcher (132), La’Nya Spears (135), Gianna Calbert (140) and Riley Baylor (145) all won by forfeit.
Van Horn’s Seidy Rodas Calderon (106) was the lone winner for her team with a forfeit victory.
