Local girls wrestling teams competed at district tournaments on Saturday.
The top four finishers in each weight class advanced to the state tournament.
Five Joplin area schools had state-qualifiers.
CLASS 2 DISTRICT 3
OZARK, Mo. — Joplin High School junior Erika Washom made history by finishing fourth at 135 pounds at the Class 2 District 3 tournament to advance to the state tournament.
Washom will be the first female to represent JHS at the state tournament.
Washom was the lone local state-qualifier from this district tourney, which was held at Ozark High School.
After an opening round bye, Washom won by fall over Waynesville’s Gabriela Hoag. Washom suffered a loss by fall to Nixa’s Brenya Crahan, but she recorded a win by pin over Webb City’s Kylie Jennings.
In the third-place match, Willard’s Ashlan Thompson earned a 4-1 decision over Washom.
Unable to advance for Joplin were Coryaunna Mueller (110 pounds), Amy Kessler (145), Mya Ndedi Ntepe (155) and Illahna Burtrum (190).
Competing but unable to advance for Neosho were Jilian Ramirez (135) and Carmen Peren (170).
Webb City’s Jennings (135), Layla Espinoza (140) and Emma Combs (170) competed but were unable to advance. Jennings won three matches by fall but suffered losses to Lebanon’s Taylor Johnson and Washom.
Lebanon (224) and Nixa (194) were the top two teams.
CLASS 1 DISTRICT 3
CLINTON, Mo. — Athletes from Seneca, Cassville, Monett and Nevada secured state berths on Saturday at the Class 1 District 3 tournament at Clinton High School.
Seneca had a pair of district champs, as Liberty Cornell was the top finisher at 155 pounds and Isabella Renfro took first at 190 pounds. Also for the Indians, Louzella Graham placed third at 115 to give Seneca three qualifiers.
Cassville had three district champions— Annie Moore (115), Kailey Artherton (120) and Faith James (130). Also for Cassville, Hailey Roark was the runner-up at 140 and Taylor Glidewell finished third at 190.
For Monett, Brooke Bluel was the runner-up at 120, Mary Jastal placed third at 105 pounds and Kayrie Burdett (110) and Jenna Spencer (115) both finished fourth.
Nevada had four qualifiers, as Drew Leer was the runner-up at 235, Sydnee Baldwin finished third at 110, Teresa Dawn was third at 145 and Xaveria Dawn placed fourth at 100 pounds.
Athletes from Carl Junction, McDonald County, Diamond and Aurora concluded the season at the district tourney.
Holden was the team champion with 141.5 points and Cassville was second with 137 points.
WRESTLING NOTES
In a change this year, Missouri now has two classifications for girls wrestling.
The state wrestling tournament will now be a four-day affair at Mizzou Arena in Columbia. It was previously a three-day event.
The Class 1 girls and Class 1-2 boys tournaments will be held on Feb. 22-23, while the Class 2 girls and Class 3-4 boys tourneys are slated for Feb. 24-25.
Area boys wrestling teams will compete at district tourneys on Friday and Saturday, with state berths on the line.
