The defending Class 6A state champion Bentonville Tigers are off to a good start this season, and they aren't even fully healthy yet.

The Tigers won the Battle for the Bling in Fayetteville before Christmas and also took the Bentonville West Invitational championship.

Tristan Stafford (106) was one of four wrestlers to win their respective weight class in Fayetteville, and he also was named Outstanding Wrestler for the lower weights. He's currently undefeated but didn't wrestle at Bentonville West because he was taking the ACT.

Jake Adams is also off to a strong start, getting the win at both tournaments.

Bentonville coach Jason Adams likes what he's seen thus far from his team.

"We had a pretty good preseason that got the guys ready," Adams said. "Overall, our guys have wrestled well. We just need to keep building off that. January's going to be busy."

Stafford, the defending state champion and two-time All-American, has filled out some and could even bump to 113 this season, Adams said.

"Last year he was 5-10 pounds underweight and still did very well," Adams said. "This year, he's not the smallest 106-pounder in the state. He's not the tiny guy in the bracket. An extra year of growth has really helped him out."

The Tigers return nine starters from last year's lineup, two of which have been slowed by injuries this season. They will be tested this weekend at a tournament in Cushing, Okla., which includes stout competition.

The Bentonville girls team also has two tournament wins.

Adams said the group of 11 girls has worked hard and had a great attitude.

"We faced some girls from Missouri who had an extra year of experience, but our girls scrapped with them," Adams said. "They've got the right attitude and work ethic. They just need some more mat time."
