McAlester boys wrestling look to build off previous success

McAlester boys wrestling hopes to bring continuity from last season into this one.

The Buffaloes made their first trip to dual state in over 30 years last season and with several key returning grapplers, they’re hoping to get right back.

It was a surprise to many last year how strong McAlester was. The Buffaloes were scheduled to play teams on homecoming four times last year, and spoiled all of them.

After seeing how well his team did last year, coach Kydel Billy said they’re keeping a familiar mantra.

“Everybody thought we were going to be an easy win and we started hurting feelings,” Billy said. “So, really, that’s kind of our goal again.”

With a target on their backs now, Billy said the Buffaloes will need to change how they hurt feelings.

“This year we’re the top dog in our district – they’re coming for us,” Billy said. “How we were hungry those last four years, there’s going to be other teams that are hungry for us now.”

The mix of talent and experience McAlester brings may be enough to keep its opponents with an empty stomach.

The Buffalo roster has seven seniors and many returning from last year’s successful outing. The returning success is a reminder of how the wrestling program has evolved into what it is today.

Lee Moore, who qualified for the state tournament as a junior last season, said he’s watched the program blossom over his years in the wrestling room.

“Freshman year we probably barely had enough kids to fill up the room and then, over the years, wrestling has grown tremendously — a whole bunch of new people,” Moore said.

Moore is one of the seven seniors on the team. The group of upperclassmen are the first generation under Billy’s watch since beginning in the seventh grade.

After having five coaches in five seasons, this group has had consistency which Billy said is starting to pay off.

“We’ve been seeing the fruits of their labor coming out,” Billy said. “If they keep it going and have a good year, they might be one of the winningest classes in McAlester wrestling history.”

Seniors will be expected to improve upon last season’s success, but there are younger wrestlers who may take the leap.

Junior Hugo Reyes has stuck with wrestling despite some downturns. He started his freshman year but was taken out of the group of starters last year.

Billy said he sees the work Reyes has been putting in.

“He’s just improving and he’s looking like he’s ready to hurt some feelings this year,” Billy said.

Silas McCraw, also a junior, has had a slower approach but Billy said he stood out wrestling for junior varsity last season.

“He’s tearing it up in the practice room and he’s beating some of his teammates that he wasn’t beating the last two years,” Billy said.

Sebastian Thompson, a freshman, took an unorthodox route to being a wrestler. Billy said he usually caps off players beginning to wrestle at the seventh grade, but Thompson joined in his eighth grade year.

Though he’s still a raw talent, Billy said he’s impressed with what he’s seen in his work ethic.

“He’s like a sponge,” Billy said. “He takes knowledge in really well and he’s able to learn pretty quick.”

With talent from all ages and all weight classes, the Buffaloes want to send a message to their opponents.

“You better watch out for McAlester, man,” Moore said. “Don’t sleep on us.”

McAlester will host its Black and Gold dual at 6 p.m. Dec. 1 at the McAlester Activity Center.