By Brad Heath

With a good mix of experience and youth, the Eagles of Weatherford have the building blocks in place for a program on the rise. 

Seniors Jaxon Klaassen and Kale Visnieski will lead a talented group looking to surprise a few teams this year. 

Klaassen is the No. 6 ranked wrestler at 132-pounds in Class 4A. Klaassen is a state qualifier at 132-pounds and is looking to finish his high school career on the podium. 

Visnieski qualified for the state tournament at 170 last year, and plans on wrestling at 165-pounds this year. 

Cooper Moses (So.) is ranked No. 4 at 144-pounds after wrestling in the opening round of the state tournament last year. That experience has fueled Moses to push himself and his teammates to get better every day. 

Eli Soto (Sr.) is the No. 3 285-pound wrestler in Class 4A. Soto was a state qualifier last season in what was a shortened year. With a full season as a senior, Soto could be one of the top wrestlers at heavyweight this season. 

Did you know?

Weatherford’s first state champion was Scott Hoffman (190) in 1981. Hoffman won the 190-pound Class 2A state title. Steve Couch followed Hoffman in ’83 and ’84 with titles at 178 and 190-pounds to become the first back-to-back state champion.