Leadership has become second nature for Judah Meredith as he continues to grow within the Joplin High School wrestling program. “My personal goals for every season are always to work hard, get better at wrestling, be a good leader for the team and qualify for state.”

As the season has progressed, Meredith believes the culture around the program has stayed strong. “Every year, the team morale has its ups and downs throughout the season,” he said. “This year, I would say it has been very good, the coaching staff does a great job motivating and encouraging us.”

Physically, the Eagles have taken noticeable steps forward. “There are always a lot of areas we need to improve in as a team, and that will never change,” Meredith said. “This year specifically, I have seen a big improvement in our conditioning. Coach Byrne has done a great job keeping us in shape.”

The ultimate goal remains clear. “Ultimately, the goal of the entire team is to win state,” he said. “Our wrestling team works toward that every day by showing up, working hard and getting better. You can see how hard someone works in practice by the result on the mat.”

According to Meredith, accountability separates good teams from great ones. “The amount of talent and leadership we have seen develop this year is very encouraging,” he said. “I think our biggest strength is how we can push each other and keep each other accountable.”

As a team captain, Meredith embraces responsibility. “As a team captain I do my best to act like how I would want a leader to act if I was in their position,” he said. “I do my best to motivate and keep everyone accountable and on track in practice.”

Preparation begins long before the whistle. “Before we step on the mat, I look at their warm-up routine,” Meredith said. “Whenever we are on the mat about to wrestle, I take into consideration their height, build and stance.”

He also prioritizes recovery and focus. “I always try to get a full eight hours of sleep for the prior two days,” he said. “Healthy snacks and staying hydrated are key.”

Faith plays a central role once competition begins. “My goal for every match is to win and wrestle for the glory of God,” Meredith said.

Reflecting on his journey, he added, “I want to be remembered as someone who worked hard and helped improve the teams I was on.”

Looking ahead, Meredith said, “My hope for after high school is to go on to become a collegiate athlete.”