Girls Wrestling Team Shines at National Tournament

The Kearney High School girls wrestling team traveled to Akron, Ohio to compete in the prestigious Women of the Ironman Tournament, a competition widely recognized as one of the nation’s toughest high school wrestling events. Seven Bulldogs represented Kearney, demonstrating exceptional class and competitiveness in a tournament featuring more than 120 teams, many of which included nationally ranked programs and individual athletes.

Despite contending with illness throughout the week, the Bulldogs put forth an impressive performance, securing a 6th-place finish overall. Four Kearney wrestlers reached the Top-8 podium, underscoring the team’s remarkable resilience and skill on the mat.

Individual highlights included Zolah Williams, who advanced to the semifinals and ultimately claimed 3rd place. Williams lost only to the eventual champion and did not surrender a single point for the remainder of the tournament. Myla Woolridge, competing while sick and unseeded, delivered a standout performance by upsetting a nationally ranked opponent and last year’s Ironman runner-up, earning 6th place. Carli Vargas continued her success on the national stage, pinning her way to the championship finals and finishing as runner-up after facing a familiar opponent from Bixby, Oklahoma. Ella Chavez also reached the podium, securing 6th place after multiple hard-fought victories over state medalists in a challenging bracket.

All seven athletes displayed tremendous grit and sportsmanship in one of the country’s most demanding tournaments. The Bulldogs will return to action on December 18–19 at the KC Stampede, held at Hale Arena.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.