Eagle's View - Wrestlers compete at State

Mitchel Alexander had a strong showing at the MSHSAA State Wrestling Competition placing third in the 138 weight class.

Photo by junior Addy Blackmore.

GVHS sends Seven Wrestlers to State

The Grain Valley High School Wrestling team had seven wrestlers qualify for state in their 2018-2019 season. The state qualifiers include Caleb Benshoof (132), Mitchel Alexander (138), Trent LeGrotte (145), Ethan Grasher (152), Hunter Newsom (170), Jaden Worthington (220), and Donovan McBride (HW), two of which fought hard for their place on the podium and brought home state medals. Although the Eagles didn’t get as far as they wanted in the state tournament, they had an impressive season and ended with a 14-4 Dual record and took second in the Suburban conference.

Of the seven qualifiers, five are seniors, and head coach Jesse Whitson has played a huge role in each of their wrestling careers. Whitson has coached each of these boys since their first-day wrestling at the high school level, and some he’s coached since their youth days on the mat. Whitson has high expectations for his team that extend off the mat as well. Throughout his career at Grain Valley High School he has continued to train his team to focus on being better wrestlers with an open mind rather than being medal winners. Whitson’s goal has always been to pass on the life skills of discipline, dedication, responsibility, and hard work because “learning these things while you’re young will set you up for success in your future.”

Senior Mitchel Alexander is a four-time state qualifier and a 3-time state placer. This year at the state tournament, Alexander earned a third-place state medal in the 138 weight class. Mitchel describes his state experience as, “a war” because “nothing at state is given, even if you have beat your opponent before. Each victory has to be earned.” Throughout high school, Alexander has struggled with a recurring knee injury. This injury prevented him from competing in most of last year’s season. However, he was determined to not let his injury discourage him from achieving his goals this year.

Sophomore Hunter Newsom began this season as a first-time varsity starter. At the state tournament, Newsom won his first two matches which quickly placed him at the top of his bracket. However, his semi-finals didn’t go as planned and he took the fall. Newsom then fought hard to keep himself in the race for a state medal and took sixth in the 170 weight class. Newsom’s improvement did not go unnoticed, as he earned this year’s “most improved” award voted on by his fellow teammates. When speaking of Newsom, head coach Jesse Whitson proclaimed that “he wrestled JV last year and this year he was a state placer, that doesn’t happen often, and it doesn’t happen by accident.” Newsom says that he is proud of what he accomplished this season, but next year he is aiming for a higher spot on the podium.

Even though the Eagles didn’t prove everything they set out to at the state tournament this year, Whitson speaks very highly of the seven qualifiers. He denotes that “wrestling isn’t about the medals or the trophies or the plaques, those go in a box one day. Wrestling is about the life lessons you learn and the moments you will remember forever.” •

Written and photos by sophomore Addy Blackmore

Seven GVHS wrestlers qualified for the State competition. Pictured are (left to right): Trent LeGrotte, Jaden Worthington, Donovan McBride, Mitchel Alexander, Hunter Newsom, Caleb Benshoof, and Ethan Grasher.

Photo by sophomore Addy Blackmore