News
Washburn Rural Wins First KSHSAA Girls State Wrestling Championship
There will be a long history of girls wrestling in the state of Kansas from this year forward, but there will only ever be one first-ever team state champion, and on Thursday in Salina, the Washburn Rural grapplers staked their claim to history.
Four podium finishes and three top-three finishers were enough for the Lady Blues to outscore Great Bend 84-80 and win the KSHSAA state girls wrestling title. Daija Anderson’s individual gold medal at 235 pounds highlighted the day for Washburn Rural and clinched enough points to win the championship.
Washburn Rural also got third-place finishes from Rebekah Smith at 170 and Jaliah Johnson at 191, and Halley Robinett placed fifth at 155 pounds.
Junction City’s Elisa Robertson (191 pounds) and Free State’s Madisyn Gray (130 pounds) were state champions from the 580 Preps coverage area as well. Eleven of the 24 wrestlers who competed from the area brought home state medals.
Below is the list of state competitors from the area. Medalists are in italics and state champions are in bold.
BURLINGTON
MJ Huff, 109
E’owynn Codney, 116
Bryleigh Isch, 191
BURLINGAME
Gianna Culbert, 136 – 3rd place
EMPORIA
Gloria Peroza, 143
Trinity Ervin, 191
Megan Olson, 235
FREE STATE
Madyson Gray, 130 – STATE CHAMPION
JEFFERSON WEST
Montana Grahem, 130
JUNCTION CITY
Elisa Robinson, 191 – STATE CHAMPION
MANHATTAN
Dache Island-Jones, 123
MISSION VALLEY
Shelby Kesler, 123
ROYAL VALLEY
Maya Ogdan, 136 – 6th place
SHAWNEE HEIGHTS
Alexandria Buce, 101
Amelie Jungwirth, 116 – 4th place
SILVER LAKE
Amber Martinek, 130 – 6th place
Ellington Hogle, 136
TOPEKA WEST
Bri Randles, 130 – 2nd place
WASHBURN RURAL
Jaiden Taggart, 109
Addison Broxterman, 116
Halley Robinett, 155 – 5th place
Rebekah Smith, 170 – 3rd place
Jailah Johnson, 191 – 3rd place
Dajia Anderson, 235 – STATE CHAMPION