Girls Pin Down Three-Peat at State Wrestling

The Kearney High School Girls Wrestling team earned a third-straight state championship on Thursday, February 27.

The Bulldogs captured the title during the 2025 MSHSSA wrestling tournament at Mizzou Arena in Columbia. The tournament began Wednesday, and the team built a nine-point lead by the end of day one, which they maintained for most of Thursday. Though there was a brief moment of uncertainty, a late surge of clutch bonus-point wins in the medal rounds secured the championship over second-place Brookfield by an eight-point margin.

“This title was a total team effort,” Head Coach Nick Ward said. “Someone stepped up whenever we needed a big performance, just as they have in all three championship runs.”

All eight KHS qualifiers won matches, contributing critical points in another intense team tournament. Bailey Martin took 2nd at 115 lbs, Riley Walker took 3rd at 120, Myla Woolridge took 5th at 105, and Carli Vargas took individual gold at 190.

Individual Highlights:

Myla Woolridge – The freshman continued her successful debut season, going 4-2 and securing a fifth-place finish with a pin. Myla consistently delivered in high-pressure moments throughout the season and came up big again when it mattered most.

Ella Herndon – The senior went 2-2 and fell just one win short of a podium finish. A key contributor in the past two state title runs, Ella’s leadership and impact on this team will be greatly missed.

Bailey Martin – The senior made history, pinning her way to the championship finals for a rematch with Delanie Smith of Mid-Buchanan. Though she finished as the runner-up, Bailey became Kearney’s first four-time female state medalist, finishing 5th, 3rd, 1st, and 2nd. Her pin in the semifinal round also marked her 150th career victory. Bailey has been a cornerstone of all three title runs.

Riley Walker – After a tough quarterfinal loss to the eventual state champion, Riley put together a dominant run through the consolation bracket, pinning everyone in her path to secure third place. Along the way, she avenged losses from districts, including pinning a previous opponent who had beaten her by 15 points in January. Now a three-time state medalist, Riley is a major contributor to this program’s success.

Aida Appenfeller – The sophomore made her state tournament debut after an impressive district performance. Though she finished 1-2, her key bonus-point victory in the consolation bracket played a crucial role in the team race.

Bella Wenzel – On her first trip to the state tournament, Bella faced a tough draw, meeting a state finalist in the opening round. After a hard-fought loss, she bounced back in the consolation bracket to secure a vital team victory, finishing 1-2 as a freshman.

Carli Vargas – The sophomore and returning state finalist dominated her bracket, pinning all but one opponent on her way to the state championship. She ended the season with just one loss to the No. 2-ranked wrestler in the country from Oklahoma. A two-time state finalist and now state champion, Carli continues to be a driving force behind this championship run.

Ella Chavez – As a first-year wrestler, freshman Ella Chavez could have been satisfied with simply qualifying for the state tournament. Instead, she stepped up when it mattered most, avenging a prior loss to a ranked opponent and securing a critical pin in the consolation rounds. She finished 1-2 but made her presence felt in the team standings.

“This championship is a testament to Kearney Girls Wrestling’s culture,” Coach Ward said. “From seasoned veterans to first-time qualifiers, every wrestler played a crucial role in bringing home the title. Thanks to our coaching staff, families, and fans for their unwavering support. The three-peat is complete, but the standard remains the same. The future is bright, and we can’t wait to see what’s next!”

KPGZ News – Ray Weikal contributed to this story.