Logan Hite ready for senior season on the mat

This year’s Derland Moore Defensive Player of the Year Award winner wants to keep the momen-tum going after a solid football season as he steps off the gridiron and onto the mat.

Senior wrestler Logan Hite will return as the only state qualifier for the boys from the previous season, and he’s ready to leave everything on the mat for his final year with the Poplar Bluff Mules.

“I’m excited for the wrestling season, and I’m glad it’s finally here,” Hite said. “I feel that good things will come this season. I expect to place pretty high this year because I’ve worked extremely hard to prepare for this year. I feel more positive this season and have good expectations set for myself.”

Last season, Hite placed first in the SEMO Conference and St. Charles Invitational, second in the Farmington Tournament and the Patriot Classic, third in the Kyle Thrasher Tournament and fourth at Bring the Hammer.

Hite recently collected his final snap as a linebacker with the Mules’ football team, where he utilized many of his wrestling takedown techniques to lead the SEMO Conference in tackles. He finished the season with 113 tackles, including 59 solo tackles and nine tackles for a loss.

Transitioning from the football field to the wrestling mat can have challenges, but Hite sees no difference between them being contact sports. He thrives on getting his opponents to the ground as quickly as possible, whether on the gridiron or mat.

Senior Logan Hite trains with former Poplar Bluff wrestling standout Lucas Robertson during the Mules� practice.DAR/D'Courtland Christian

“Switching from football to wrestling has never been the issue because I’m literally doing the same job of taking down my opponent,” Hite said. “They go hand-in-hand for the most part, but being successful in wrestling requires me to be in a completely different shape. My goal all season is to drill hard and be ready for anything that gets thrown my way.”

Hite said football keeps him in shape, and whenever wrestling rolls around, it doesn’t take him long to adjust.

Coach Kelton Thompson said he expects Hite to be a leader this year as he has the most experience. He said Hite is the most dedicated athlete he’s ever met and a great team leader who leads by example, on and off the mat.

So far, Hite is undefeated with the Mules and has already brought home some hardware. He placed first in the Bolivar wrestling tournament and first in a 20-team Union Tournament.

While Hite is off to a good start, he doesn’t plan on taking his foot off the gas.

“I would be hard on myself whenever I made a mistake, but that’s not going to bother me this year,” he said. “My goal is to place really high and have as few losses as possible.”

Poplar Bluff will compete in the Bring the Hammer Tournament this weekend before returning home on Jan. 2 for a tri-meet with Sikeston and West Plains.