January 16, 2021

By Fred Liggett
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“Getting better every week” is just one way to describe this year’s St. Michael’s High School Wrestling team. This description came from the guy who knows the team the best, Head Coach Matt Infranca. Ranked #1 is how Missouri Wrestling describes Lucas Berry as in ranked number one in the state in the 106 lb. weight class.

The 2020-21 season continued this week for the Guardians who celebrated Senior Night with a match against Harrisonville. Two seniors were honored before the action started on the mat as Caleb Barry and Jacob Edmundson, along with their parents, were congratulated on their contributions to the program. The Guardians suffered a setback losing the match to the visiting Wildcats by a score of 48-36.

For Coach Infranca having the two seniors around the program every day has made him very happy. Infranca says he “is happy to have them be a part of the program.” Berry has been wrestling since his sophomore year, while Edmundson has been in the program since his freshman year. Infranca states away from athletics “the two of them are leaders in the school.” Infranca continues saying “they are great kids off the mat.”

The current season has brought changes to both seniors as Edmundson has dropped from the 152 weight class to now competing at 145. Berry’s season has been interrupted by a broken left hand but he is expected to be back by the district tournament. The district tournament will be held at St. Michael’s on Saturday, Feb. 13, the first time the Guardians have played host to the event.

Coach Infranca has given the team this year the motto “Expect to win” and the Guardians have responded by getting better every week. Their hard work in practice and in matches is being noticed as Missouri Wrestling has St. Michael’s ranked #12 in Class 1 this week. Thanks to the leadership of two seniors the Guardians improvement will continue each week with a post-season tournament just one month away.