KSHSAA girls wrestling state championships: Top Topeka-area wrestlers, schedule
The Kansas State High School Activities Association girls wrestling state championships will start later this week as the three-day event begins Thursday with competitions hosted in Salina and Park City.
Here is a look at some of the Topeka-area standouts, plus the schedule and locations.
Hailee Crosland, Santa Fe Trail
The senior continues her incredible final season with the Chargers. She holds a 38-3 record and is the No. 2-ranked wrestler for Class 4-1A’s 145-pound division. The Baker University signee pinned all four of her opponents to claim the regional title and give her momentum for state. Crosland finished third in last year’s state tournament.
Madison Freeland, Shawnee Heights
The three-time United Kansas Conference champion enters the state tournament with a record of 30-9. The junior has impressed at the 135-pound division and won the regional title by pinning all four of her opponents. Freeland finished as the state runner-up last year and looks for vengeance this weekend.
Taylie Heston, Seaman
The junior comes into the state tournament with a 40-12 record as the No. 5-ranked 120-pound wrestler. Heston won the regional meet with a commanding pin in the title bout. She told the Capital-Journal earlier in the season that her goal is to place inside the top six at the state meet, something she's yet to do in her young career.
Hailey Horton, Rossville
The No. 2-ranked wrestler in the 155-pound weight class enters the state meet with a 42-5 record. Horton won the regional with three pins and an 8-0 major decision in the championship match. The senior secured her 100th career pin earlier in the season and is coming off a third-place finish in last year’s state tournament.
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Kendra Hurla, Rossville
The senior is looking to become the first four-time state champion in Kansas history. She said earlier in the season that she is feeling the pressure about reaching that milestone. Yet, it never affected her regular season performance. Hurla is 44-0 in the 120-pound division and dominated the regional tournament, pinning all four of her opponents.
Isabelle Reyes, Shawnee Heights
The junior is the No. 3-ranked wrestler in the 130-pound division. She comes into the state tournament after winning regionals, having won via pins in the quarterfinals and semifinals before taking the title due to a medical forfeit from her competitor. Last week, Reyes was named the Capital-Journal’s athlete of the week.
Molly Spader, Washburn Rural
The junior holds a 48-18 record this year and is rated as the No. 1 wrestler in the 105-pound division. Last year, she finished in fifth place at 100 in the state championship before moving up a weight class this season. In the regional tournament, Spader won the first-place match in a 9-8 decision over No. 2-ranked Brooklyn Treaster from Newton.
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Kansas girls wrestling state championship locations
Class 6-5A - Park City, Hartman Arena
Class 4-1A - Salina, Tony’s Pizza Events Center
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Kansas girls wrestling state championship schedule
All times Central.
Thursday, Feb. 22.
1:30 p.m. - First round of competition, championship quarterfinals and consolation first round
Friday, Feb. 23.
Noon - Consolation second round, championship semi-finals and consolation quarterfinals
Saturday, Feb. 24
9:00 a.m. - Consolation semi-finals, fifth place matches, third place matches, championship finals
Liam Keating covers high school sports for The Topeka Capital-Journal. Send stats or information to him at Lkeating@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas high school girls wrestling: 2024 state preview for Topeka
