Platte County senior Jake Fernandez has been to state each year of his high school career.
PLATTE CITY – The Platte County wrestling team is coming off a successful season with seven returning boy state qualifiers; and had a program best five girl qualifiers.
The Platte County boys will be led by seniors Jake Fernandez and Caden Hulett, who have both made it to state each of the last three years. Fernandez was the 2022 state champion in the 220-weight class before earning third place in the 215-weight class in 2023 – the same class that he will compete in for his senior campaign.
Hulett made it to state in the 106-weight class as a freshman and sophomore and moved up to the 113-weight class as a junior, coming one match away from making it to the podium. He has once again bumped up in weight and will look for his first state medal as a 120-pounder.
Grant Fadler (132) joins the seniors as a returning state qualifier that earned a win at Mizzou Arena, doing so as a freshman, and Cole Johnson (175) is the other sophomore who made it to state last year. Juniors Evan MacCuish (150) and Darrell Smith (165), alongside senior Shane Leary (157), all went winless at state last year and are working to change that in 2024.
“Couple of good freshmen coming in with Jaxson Shute who was a youth state champion and Jack Johnson who was a youth place winner,” Platte County head wrestling coach Reggie Burress said. “Chase Hulett is a state place winner out for the year a with a knee injury. I’m looking forward to this team growing during the year and making a run at a state trophy.”
Shute (106), Gabe Wittel (113), Liam Franksen (126) and Jackson Woolsey (138) fill out the lighter weight classes. Kevin Taylor (165), Copper Hammontree (190) and Quinn Lightle (285) are in the heavier classes.
One of the Platte County girls’ top wrestlers, Giada Cucchiara, had an offseason injury – tearing her ACL playing soccer – and will miss her junior season. Senior EmmaLyn Burnett is the sole returning state qualifier that will compete this winter, being an important player in the program.
Burnett is a former district champion and could become the third ever Lady Pirate to make it to state on multiple occasions. She fell shy of a state medal as a sophomore.
“This team is full of talent, great work ethic, and very coachable. I see them growing each day and see great things in their future,” Burress said.
Platte County has a set lineup in all but one weight class, starting with Karrington Friddell (105), Kylee Wilson (110) and Charley Sims (120). Gwen Duncan and Adrianna Ciccarelli will both compete in the 115-weight class, same as Anna Wiesehan and Natalie Doonnini in the 130-weight class.
Annabell Beeman (135), Mila Cucchiara (140) and Taylore Lavery (145) add depth to Platte County. Alivia Juarez is in the 170-weight class, Nicole Fernandez is in the 215-weight class and Madeleine Stone is in the 235-weight class.