This is Devontae Smith’s last year as a wrestling and he plans to make the most of it.
A senior at Collinsville, Smith was 33-6 at 106 pounds as a junior and was a Class 3A sectional qualifier after winning a regional title.
“It was a good year for everybody, not just me,” Smith said. “The team did pretty well – we won some tournaments and placed in the top three in just about every one.
“The main thing for me is to keep my head straight and make sure that I lose weight the right way. If I can do that, it will get me through a lot of matches.”
Smith will move up to 113 pounds this season.
“It’s somewhat of an advantage being a senior at the weight class, but not a huge advantage,” Smith said. “There are still some good people out there. I do feel every bit as comfortable at 113 as I did at 106.”
During the offseason, Smith put in plenty of time to hone his skills.
“I came to some summer practices and I feel like I’m a lot stronger from being in the weight room,” Smith said. “My technique has gotten better, too.
“I’d like to make it to state this year and finish in the top three at least. I also want to make sure that my team beats (Southwestern Conference rival) Edwardsville this year. We don’t do very well in the conference last year (1-6), so we’d like to beat all of the team that beat us.
“Team-wise, I think we’re stronger this year. I was confident in our lineup last season, but I’m even more confident now.”
As a senior, Smith realizes he has to take a leadership role.
“Sometimes kids don’t know the way to go and I’ve got to be able to show them,” Smith said. “We’ve got some other seniors that are helping out, too.”
Smith isn’t going to wrestle in college.
“This year will be it for me, so it makes it that much more important,” said Smith, who plans to study to become an orthodontist. “I’ll go to school somewhere in Texas because I’m going to move to Lubbock with my uncle after I graduate. I’ve never been there, so I’m sure it will take a while to get used to it.”