Missouri has been producing high-level high school talent throughout the past decade. Natives of the Show-Me State have shown up on Division I rosters across the country, led by national champions J'den Cox and Drake Houdashelt, NCAA finalist Jaydin Eierman and Rocky Elam, who's currently ranked #1 nationally at 197. 

Here's a look at 25 of the state's top stars to watch this season: 

Collin Arch (Palmyra) – Senior, 138/144 pounds 

The Northern Illinois signee is trying to become only the fourth undefeated four-time state champion in Missouri history. The Class 1 product entered this season with a 105-0 career high school record and recently placed fifth at Super 32 at a loaded 138-pound weight class, beating Pierson Manville (PA), Cameron Catrabone (NY) and Julian George (NJ).  

Hank Benter (Hickman) – Sophomore, 106/113 pounds

Hailing from the same high school as J’den Cox, Benter finished off his freshman year with a perfect 41-0 record, pinning Fargo 16U Freestyle AA Devon Harrison in the finals. He and his brother, Hayden, both won Class 4 titles last season. 

Chris Coates (Liberty) – Junior, 132/138 pounds

A recent Purdue commit, Coates is a two-time state champion is currently the #67 overall recruit for the class of 2024. He entered this season with a 66-3 record and two Class 4 titles for nationally-ranked Liberty High School. Coates looks to join a select group of four-time champs in 2024.

David Cross (Francis Howell Central) – Senior, 138/144 pounds

The Mizzou signee has placed three times (3-5-2) and has a 113-6 record. He is looking for his first state title this year. A two-time NHSCA National placer, he’s been in and out of the national rankings for the last few years. 

Sam Ewing (Pleasant Hill) – Senior, 138 pounds

The Buffalo recruit is looking to join the four-time state champion club this season. He has placed twice at Preseason Nationals. His career record is 125-4 and he could be a good under-the-radar recruit for Buffalo. 

Zan Fugitt (Nixa) – Senior, 132 pounds

The highest-ranked senior out of Missouri is the Oklahoma University signee, Fugitt. His list of accolades are long. He’s a two-time Super 32 placer, a Fargo Junior freestyle All-American, a two-time Ironman placer and a Preseason Nationals runner-up. Currently, he’s ranked #4 nationally at 132 pounds and #46 on the Senior Big Board. Fugitt is a three-time state finalist and two-time champ. 

Jay Griener (St. Joseph Lafayette) – Senior, 165 pounds

Griener set the state record for wins last year with 61 and looks to break the state career mark this season. He entered this season with a 163-7 record. He wrestled 160 pounds last year after wrestling 182 pounds as a sophomore. He is a three-time Class 2 state finalist and won a state title his junior season after coming up short in his first two tries. 

Rylan Kuhn (St. Puis X) – Sophomore, 215 pounds

Kuhn was a double 16U Fargo All-American this past year at 220 pounds He finished 40-1 as a freshman, winning a Class 1 title. He also went undefeated at the 16U National Duals in both styles (15-0). 

Gavin Linsman (Liberty) — Junior, 138/144 pounds

A two-time Class 3 champion for Whitfield, Linsman has since moved to join the nationally ranked Liberty high school team. He made his presence known at Super 32, where he beat  Michigan recruit Cameron Catrabone and Wyoming recruit Cole Brooks. 

Porter Matecki (Whitfield) – Junior, 120/126 pounds

Another two-time Class 3 champion who made his presence at Super 32, going 6-2 and only losing twice to Jax Forrest. Matecki is currently ranked #11 at 120. 

Carter McAllister (Rock Bridge) – Senior, 144/150 pounds

Currently ranked #16 at 145 pounds and is #57 on the Class of 2023 Big Board. The two-time Class 4 state champion and Missouri signee has placed at Super 32, Fargo Freestyle, Preseason Nationals and NHSCA Nationals. 

Samuel Murphy (McDonald County) – Junior, 215 pounds

Murphy is currently ranked #16 at 220 pounds and will be looking for his first Class 3 state title. He’s a double Fargo All-American and Folkstyle Nationals placer.  

A.J. Rallo (Whitfield) – Senior, 126/132 pounds

The Bellarmine signee is looking to become a four-time state champion. After winning a title his freshman year in Class 1, he has won his next two in Class 3, helping Whitfield win a team title every year. Rallo entered this season with a career record of 112-12 and placed third this past year at the National Recruiting Showcase. 

Brady Roark (Seneca) – Senior, 126 pounds 

Currently ranked #73 on the Class of 2023 Big Board, the South Dakota State recruit and NHSCA national champion entered this season with a 139-4 career record. He is the last Missouri person to beat Zan Fugitt when they split matches as sophomores. Roark is a two-time Class 2 champion and three-time finalist.  

Cole Ruble (Seckman) – Senior, 165/175 pounds

The returning Class 4 Champion and three-time placer is perhaps one of the best athletes in Missouri. Not only is he a returning state champion, he also was the quarterback on Seckman’s football team and rushed for more than 2,500 yards and scored 46 touchdowns. In his career, he has rushed for almost 7,000 yards and 96 touchdowns. He has signed with Southeast Missouri State University to play football.  

Brayden Shelton (Centralia) – Senior, 165 pounds

Shelton won his first Class 1 state title last year after finishing third the previous two years. He entered this season with a 137-5 career record. 

Ryder Shelton (Kearney) - Sophomore, 113/120 pounds 

As a freshman, Shelton won the Class 3 state championship at 106 pounds, posting a 39-3 record. He then placed at the National Recruiting Showcase. He is looking to become the fourth four-time state champion in the school’s history. 

Brett Smith (Troy Buchanan) – Senior, 175/190 pounds

Perhaps the best unsigned senior in Missouri, Smith finally got his elusive state title this past season after placing fifth and second the previous two years. He then followed it up with a second-place finish at NHSCA Nationals to go along with a Preseason Nationals podium finish.  

Sampson Stillwell (St. Michael The Arch Angel) – Sophomore, 285 pounds

The highest-ranked sophomore on the Big Board for Missouri is the aptly named Sampson. The #74 overall prospect for 2025 is currently ranked #12 at 285. He was a double 16U All-American, finishing third in freestyle and winning the Greco title. He went undefeated at 16U Duals in both styles. He finished his freshman year winning the Class 1 championship with an 18-1 record. 

Braxton Strick (Ozark) – Senior, 150/157 pounds

Strick won his first Missouri Class 4 state title after finishing third and second. The SIU-Edwardsville signee is a Fargo Greco All-American and two-time Preseason Nationals finalist has been ranked nationally at times. 

Hunter Taylor (Liberty) – Junior, 113/120 pounds 

The highest-ranked Junior from Missouri is North Carolina recruit Taylor. He won his first title after losing his freshman year to U17 World champion Luke Lilledahl in the semis. He is a two-time Fargo Junior champion and has a chance to be a four-time Fargo Junior champ.  

Jackson Tucker (Hillsboro) – Sophomore, 126/132 pounds

Tucker has been ranked at times and placed fourth at the Cheesehead in a weight class that featured Nate Jesuroga and Nicolar Rivera. He lost in the state finals to A.J. Rallo of Whitfield and finished last season with a 44-4 record. 

Peyton Westpfahl (Liberty) – Sophomore, 165/175 pounds

The 16U Fargo freestyle placer finished fifth in the state as a freshman at 160 pounds He will probably move up to 175 pounds this year. He is also a former 16U Folkstyle Nationals finalist losing to Aeoden Sinclair in the finals. He is also ranked #98 on the 2025 Big Board. 

Brock Woodcock (St. Clair) –  Senior, 150/157 pounds

The two-time Class 2 state champion has been a two-time Preseason National finalist, winning before his freshman year. He has also placed at NHSCA Nationals. The SIU-Edwardsville signee has beaten the likes of Greyson Clark and Sergio Lemley in the past and could be a force at the next level. He entered this season with a career 142-5 record.

Ei Zar (Neosho) – Senior, 175 pounds

Zar won his first Class 3 title this past year after taking second at 145 pounds as a sophomore in a weight class that features two current D1 starters. He has not wrestled in any national meets, so he could be an under-the-radar recruit who could pay big dividends.