West Platte wrestling enters the 2025-26 season emphasizing steady program growth, increased participation and the pursuit of history on both the boys and girls sides.
Head coach Brett Swope returns to lead the Blue Jays, assisted by Michelle Newkirk and Kyle Crockett, as West Platte looks to build on last season’s experience while continuing to strengthen its pipeline from the youth and middle school levels.
The boys team finished 2-8 overall last season and placed seventh at the KCI Tournament, but showed promise at the postseason level with two state qualifiers. Cuin Vincent capped a standout year with a sixth-place finish at the state tournament at 132 pounds, while Canton Wilkins qualified for state for the third time in his career.
Vincent, now a junior, returns as the team’s centerpiece after posting a 38-14 record last season. Projected to compete at 144 pounds, Vincent provides West Platte with a proven scorer and leader in the middle of the lineup. Wilkins, a senior projected at 138, went 21-10 last year and brings valuable postseason experience to the upper weights.
Sophomore Wyatt Gill (19-17) returns after reaching the bubble match — one win shy of state qualification last season — and will wrestle at 126. Jacob Larimer, Brody Scott and Cooper Kite return some experience and depth, while the Blue Jay boys added four upperclassmen and four underclassmen to the team this season.
Freshmen James Lybarger and Mason Pirtle are two freshmen who could contribute, as products of West Platte’s thriving middle school program. Lybarger is projected to start at 106 pounds, while Pirtle could factor into the lineup at 175.
On the girls side, West Platte continues to build up with a small but mighty squad as they return four wrestlers, three of which had winning records last year. The Lady Jays finished 5-6 last year and placed fourth at the KCI Tournament.
Although they did not qualify a wrestler for state, senior Addison Bailey narrowly missed, losing in the bubble match. Bailey returns after a 30-13 season and is projected at 130 pounds, giving West Platte a chance to produce its first female state qualifier.
Juniors Hana Hoover (17-14) and Emily Haynes (19-17) also return as strong contenders, while sophomore Aylah Gray looks to make a jump after gaining valuable varsity experience last season.
Freshman Ava Driskell joins the varsity picture and is projected at 170 pounds, adding to a growing girls roster that continues to gain momentum.
“We have two returning state qualifiers in Canton Wilkins and Cuin Vincent,” Swope said. “Our Lady Jays wrestlers have a chance to become West Platte’s first female state qualifiers. Our districts and KCI Conference are among the best in the state, and we hope to continue to compete with such great competition.”
With experience at the top of the lineup and growing numbers throughout the program, West Platte enters the season focused on progress and poised to make history. For Swope, success goes beyond wins and losses.
“I am looking forward to this season,” he said. “I hope to continue to build the wrestling program for the Weston community, but more importantly, continue to build student-athletes of character.”