Camp helps LHS wrestlers get more mat time

It’s rare to find times when the University of Missouri is welcomed into Lawrence, but for a high school wrestling camp, that’s exactly what happened last week.

A few members of Missouri’s wrestling program were in town conducting a three-day satellite camp for Lawrence High’s wrestling team, along with Scott City and Adams City (Colo.).

During the four-hour instructional days, the Lions learned different moves and techniques, which they followed by practicing against a partner.

“It helped me learn my moves and everything, like, to just get used to it again,” said Santino Gee, who missed the first day because of football camp. “Usually I’m really rusty when I start off. It helps me get back into it so I remember everything.”

Last season, the Lions qualified nine wrestlers for the Class 6A state tournament, and they only lost one to graduation: 182-pound state champion Alan Clothier.

photo by: Nick Krug

Lawrence High sophomore wrestlers Alden Hunt, black shirt, and A.J. Powell practice various maneuvers during the Tiger Style Wrestling Camp on Thursday, June 9, 2016 at Lawrence High. At left is Kevin Kissane, Wichita, a University of Missouri wrestler and camp instructor.

With a long list of potential returners, including senior state qualifiers Gee, Tucker Wilson, Cade Burghart and Hayden Husman, the Lions are excited to see how much they can improve during the upcoming season.

“It’s going to be nice having everyone back,” LHS coach Pat Naughton said. “Everyone is going to be kind of focused on what we need to do to be successful this year. … The one thing about it is, there’s a lot of experience there, especially at the regional and state level.”

For Gee, the camp was a bonus because he usually doesn’t turn his focus to wrestling until after football ends.

“Since I’m here, I expect a lot from myself,” said Gee, who had a 29-15 record at 170 pounds last year. “I want to place at state, definitely. I always told myself, when senior year comes, I’m going to be the biggest, and I want to win all my matches. I’m going to expect a lot, and I’m going to work hard this year because it’s my last.”

The satellite camp was led by Mizzou coach Brian Smith, former national champion Drake Houdashelt, and wrestlers Le’Roy Barnes and Kevin Kissane.

Naughton said the camp built on what the Lions did in practice each day during the season.

“It helps a lot because the more coaches I know, the more comfortable I feel and everything,” Gee said. “It helps me learn moves better and ask more questions so I can better myself.”

Naughton added: “Usually your team gets tired of your face saying the same thing over and over. So what’s refreshing is that when you bring in new guys, and they are saying the same things that you are saying, it reinforces what’s going on in the practice.”

With an eye toward next season, the Lions, who will host their Sunflower Kids wrestling camp this week, were thrilled to add new techniques and get the chance to wrestle early in the summer.

“I’m sore a little bit, but I’m getting used to it now,” Gee said.