West Lafayette wrestler Rose Kaplan wins second straight state title

KOKOMO — Wrestling isn't supposed to be easy.

Constant weight cutting, a structured diet and certainly refraining from indulging in sweets and snacks.

What might be a Spartanic lifestyle for some was just another day at the mats and gym for West Lafayette senior 125-pounder Rose Kaplan.

And after the 2024 IHSGW State Wrestling Championships at Kokomo High School — Kaplan looked like she hardly broke a sweat.

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Kaplan took just 75 seconds to pin Aminah Rusunuguko of Warren to win her second consecutive Indiana State High School Wrestling Championship.

The Indiana Tech University-bound Kaplan breezed through four matches all via pinfall.

It was just that easy for Kaplan.

Kaplan finished the 2023-2024 high school season winning 12 straight matches all via pinfall — none of them going past the second period.

"I believe it's just about being super confident in yourself and your training," Kaplan said.

The soft-spoken Kaplan was also awarded the IHSGW Mental Attitude Award. The award is given to just one wrestler who exudes the greatest level of sportsmanship to opponents. Kaplan was among the over 120 placers on Friday morning.

Kaplan remained calm and collected throughout the morning and into the evening. She ankle picked Rusunuguko stretched both of her arms up and and in a matter of moments, it was over.

No dramatic come from behind wins for Kaplan or jump hugging her coaches in celebration. In Kaplan's mind, the matches themselves were just like any other. Even when strobe lights were beaming down behind a boisterous crowd gasping and cheering her triumph.

Now Kaplan's goal is to become an All-American as a freshman with Indiana Tech. And she might not be far from that goal. After a few week's rest, Kaplan will be back on the road to test her skills against anyone who thinks they're better than her.

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"She keeps bouncing back for more," West Lafayette coach Morgan Asay said. "She's different. She prepares more than anybody on our team and probably prepares more than anyone in this gym. And it showed tonight."

Harrison freshman 235-pounder Eva Stokes was the other Greater Lafayette Area wrestler who made it to a state final.

Stokes was part of a Harrison team that started its girls wrestling program this season. She made a surprise after winning her first three matches while returning state finalist Aubrey Bartkowiak was pinned by Varzidy Batchelor of Northview.

The freshman who is a member of Harrison's volleyball and track and field team wasn't too discouraged after being pinned by Batchelor in the championship match.

"I'm very proud of my team and myself," Stokes said. "I fought very hard and I had to lose weight to compete. But yeah, I'm very excited to compete next year."

Here's a list of the nine state placers from across the Greater Lafayette Area.

IHSGW State Finals Placers

• Senniah Henderson - Lafayette Jeff - 110 - 6th place

• Isabel Kaplan - West Lafayette - 115 - 3rd place

• Aaliyah McLean - McCutcheon - 115 - 7th place

• Delaney Koebcke - Rensselaer Central - 120 - 4th place

• Rose Kaplan - West Lafayette - 125 - 2-time State Champion

• Aries Day - Clinton Prairie - 140 - 6th place

• Eva Stokes - Harrison - 235 - State finalist

• Erin Cauble - Harrison - 235 - 4th place

• Aubrey Bartkowiak - Attica - 235 - 5th place

Ethan Hanson is the sports reporter for the Journal & Courier in Lafayette. He can be reached at ehanson@gannett.com, on Twitter at EthanAHansonand Instagram at ethan_a_hanson.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: West Lafayette wrestler Rose Kaplan wins second straight state title