The grind of wrestling season has shaped Lucas Allen into a leader inside the Joplin High School wrestling room, and his focus this year is clear. “My personal goal this season is to become a state placer,” Allen said.
That pursuit has been fueled by noticeable changes within the program. “The moral of our team has increased lots this year with our new coaching,” he said, pointing to a renewed energy that shows up daily. Along with morale, the Tigers have taken steps forward in how they approach their work. “Our discipline and work ethic has increased tons from last year,” Allen said.
Conditioning has become a defining emphasis for Joplin this season. “Our team’s goal this year is to be in better shape than any of our opponents,” Allen said. “We are working to achieve this by putting miles every week and condition more than any of our opponents.”
Depth has also played a major role in the team’s progress. “Our teams’ biggest strength right now is how big our team is,” Allen said. “Everyone always has practice partners even if people are missing.”
As one of the more experienced wrestlers in the room, Allen embraces his role. “I play a big role on our team with my experience,” he said. “If my teammates need help with a move then usually, I know what I am doing and I can help them out.”
Attention to detail matters once competition begins. “When I’m reading my opponent, I always look at their footwork and their stance,” Allen said.
Preparation starts long before stepping on the mat. “I like to prepare myself mentally by praying and listening to meditation music,” he said.
When the whistle blows, his approach sharpens. “My mindset when I step on the mat is centered around total dominance through overpowering intensity,” Allen said.
Looking beyond wins and losses, Allen has a clear vision for how he wants to be remembered. “A legacy I want is being a standard setter,” he said. “I want people to say, ‘the room got harder because he was in it.’”
Much of the work, he believes, goes unseen. “People will never know truly how much work our team puts in day in and day out,” Allen said.
Allen is 5-foot-9 with a 9-2 record. After high school, he plans to “focus in the gym and be an EMT driver or be a firefighter.”
