Collinsville wrestling is set up for a big year on both the boys and girls sides, with a senior-led Cardinal boys squad and a rapidly growing girls program that is only in its second season. Head coach Garrett Evans sees leadership, depth, and emerging young talent across the room, creating momentum for the entire program.
The boys team will lean on a core of seven experienced seniors – Hunter Linzy, Cruz Morrison, Sean Ross, Luke Ragle, Kaden Nation, Daniel Gruenwald, and Nic Palmer – who have logged varsity minutes throughout their careers and now set the standard for the underclassmen. Returning state qualifiers Trip Darland, Cruz Morrison, and Hunter Linzy look to take the next step at season’s end, building on last year’s run that featured three qualifiers and one state placer. Linzy, a senior at 215, is a returning state placer who finished 4th a year ago and has attacked the offseason with a singular goal of becoming a state champion, leading by example both on the mat and in the classroom.
Darland, a junior heavyweight and returning state qualifier, is eager to show what he can do with a full, healthy season after injuries limited him last year, while Braxton Jones has added strength and size at 106 after placing 6th at regionals as an undersized freshman. Nick Thompson, a sophomore at 175/190, is the program’s grinder – a no-excuses worker who embraces tough practices, shows up for every open workout, and lifts the level of everyone around him.
On the girls side, Collinsville is building quickly in just its second year of competition, coming off a season that produced the program’s first state qualifier. Numbers are up with 10 or more girls expected in the room, many of them first-year wrestlers or athletes with limited experience who are eager to learn.
The Cardinals are especially excited about a talented freshman group led by Ashtyn Gilkey, a three-sport athlete and last year’s junior high state champion – the first female junior high state champion in school history – who is known for her extra workouts, determination, and ability to excel at everything she does. Seniors Krista Hall and Reagan Rogers will anchor the lineup and provide leadership, with Krista bringing a great attitude, quiet but powerful work ethic, and year-to-year growth since she first stepped on the mat.
