A new level of training leads to Poplar Bluff wrestler Logan Hite’s improvement

Poplar Bluff junior Logan Hite finished his sophomore year in the state tournament.

After reaching such an accomplishment, one would think Hite would have a perfect understanding of what optimal work ethic looks like.

That was until he went to Fargo and trained with the Missouri National team this past summer in the Greco division.

“The practices were super tough,” Hite said. “The work ethic changed for me, going through those hard practices versus those super studs that were on the team with me.”

Hite, a wrestler with college aspirations, got to experience what training like a college wrestler feels like.

“It was like 100 degrees in those rooms,” Hite said. “We stopped by two colleges on the way up there, and the rooms were like 100 degrees. You know, just everyone's just like going super hard trying to cut that weight. Is was a cool experience.”

Hite (16-5) has had a lot of success in the tournaments so far this season. He placed 2nd in Farmington on Dec. 10, beginning with a win by fall over Jackson’s CJ McIntyre in the first round. Hite recently placed 4th in tournament at Cabot Ark., on Dec. 17, by handing a wrestler from Lakeside his second loss of the season.

“He's put a ton of time in the offseason and he's an extremely hard worker,” Poplar Bluff head coach Kelton Thompson said. “So his improvement has definitely come along. Now, we're still trying to iron some things out because his goal this year is to be on the podium. So it's a constant for all our guys’ continual process of evolving, but overall can ask for a better kid to come in.”

Hite recently won two matches against West Plains and Sikeston on Jan 3.

“His re-attacks have come a long way,” Thompson said, “and I really see it in the practice room more than I've seen in the matches just yet, on his re-attacks and some of his leg attacks. That's the big thing. We want him to get going on attacking the legs. He feels really comfortable, a lot of top upper body stuff, and that's great, but we got to want to threaten the legs too. So he's really working hard to get better there and that ultimately that's what's going to take him to that next level.”

Poplar Bluff entered the season with a young team, but one with plenty of potential. It was his time to lead by example and help his teammates get better along with him.

“I definitely had a step up in leadership,” Hite said, “because last year we had quite a few seniors that led the team pretty good.”

Poplar Bluff return to the mats on Jan. 10 when the Mules host Kennett and Notre Dame.