Kiowa County High School Wrestling Season Preview

In their first-ever season, the Kiowa County High School Wrestling team, led by Head Coach Shawn Cannon, laid the groundwork for a promising future. With just one wrestler returning with prior experience, the Mavericks entered the season in full rebuild mode. But what followed was a campaign marked by steady growth, early wins, and a historic appearance at the state tournament. Building from the Ground Up “We knew we had to play catch-up,” said Coach Cannon. “Only one wrestler had any experience coming in, but each of the six wrestlers contributed in their way.” Leading the charge was James, the team’s most experienced athlete and their first-ever state placer. But it wasn’t just about individual talent—teamwork and character development played just as large a role. From teaching each other moves to supporting teammates through weight management and adversity, every wrestler brought a piece of the puzzle. Growth on and off the Mat The season saw all six wrestlers earn wins, a major milestone for such a young program. Injuries and illness, common in wrestling, tested the team’s grit, but Cannon says what stood out was the hospitality of other coaches across the state and the dedication of his own wrestlers to keep improving. A major turning point came when the team began integrating weight training into their practices. “It had a noticeable impact on our conditioning and mental toughness,” Cannon added. Wrestling Through Adversity Coach Cannon made it clear early on: wrestling isn’t easy, especially for first-timers. “After our first tournament, most of them came to me and said, ‘Coach, now we get it.’ That first match is always the toughest—you’ve got no clue what’s coming.” Despite the steep learning curve, the team responded with determination, and the support they gave each other became a hallmark of the program’s culture. Eyes on the Future With no seniors, the entire roster is expected to return, and Coach Cannon is especially excited to see how this year's athletes will mentor newcomers. “I’m most excited about seeing what these kids will do in year two—how they’ll help prepare new wrestlers and grow the program,” he said. This offseason, the focus is on evolving—better drills, new techniques, strength training, and summer camps are all part of the plan. Stats and Tracking Currently, team stats are recorded manually (wins, losses, and matchups), but building out a better system is one of Coach Cannon’s goals for next season.