After losing her previous matches against No. 1-ranked Grace Johns from Minneapolis, Oakley sophomore Atavia Cain found herself locked in a tight match with Johns in last Saturday’s 170-pound Class 4-1A regional final at Hoisington. 

Cain came through with the biggest win of her young career so far, pinning Johns late in the match to claim a regional title in dramatic fashion. 

Cain (29-3) avenged a loss by fall to Johns earlier this season in the Hays Invitational to hand Johns just her second defeat of the season. Cain also lost to Johns last year as a freshman. 

“I just learned I have to be better. I have to have the drive to get what I want,” Cain said.

Johns went up 1-0 with an escape early in the third period, but Cain later countered a move from Johns and got leverage to get Johns to the mat and finish the pin at the 4:43 mark of the match. 

“I just thought of working hard and wrestling hard for my sister (Mikayha) because she’s missed out on this season,” Cain said. “Just wrestling for the day, and I did that.”
 

Cain was emotional after the match, quickly finding her family to celebrate. 

“It was just very eye-opening. I can do whatever I need to if I put my mind to it,” Cain said. 

Johns, a state runner-up last year, and Cain could likely meet up again at the Class 4-1A state tournament in Salina next week. 

“(The win) gives me pretty good confidence but I’ve got to be humble,” Cain said. “You can’t underestimate anybody.”

Oakley’s regional runner-up showing was also highlighted by senior Citori Bosserman, who earned her 100th career win on Saturday.
 

Bosserman (26-4) pinned her way to the 110-pound regional title, capping the day with a win against Larned’s Liliana McKenna in the final for her fourth pin of the tournament. Bosserman earned a state championship in 2020. 

In her first action of the season, Mikayha Cain, a senior, took fourth place at 120 pounds to earn a spot at state. Oakley freshman Abbygal Jackson took fourth at 125 pounds. 

Oakley coach Bryce Lewis was named regional coach of the year. 

Other Class 4-1A regional champions from western Kansas: 
 

• At 100 pounds, Stockton’s Carolina Northup pinned Hoxie’s Gabrielle Meyer in the final to move to 26-8 on the season. 
• Wichita County’s Jentri Porter won the 105-pound title by fall against Clay Center’s Alissa Cowing. Porter improved to 18-3 on the season. 
• Reigning state champion Josiah Ortiz from Lakin won the 115-pound title with a 2-0 decision over WaKeeney-Trego’s Adrian Wynn in the final. Ortiz is 36-1 in her senior season. 
• Stockton sophomore Ashlyn Hahn took the 120-pound title with a pin of Hoisington’s Kiana Grandclair. Hahn is 28-2. 
• Colby’s Amanda Jaeger earned a 13-1 major decision over Hoisington’s Daijah Jones in the 130-pound final to move to 28-1 on the season. 
• After missing most of the season with a broken hand, Russell’s Jaden Ney won a regional title at 135 pounds, pinning Quinter’s Cali Wagoner in the final. 
• Ellis’ Kaydawn Haag took a 7-1 decision over Hoisington’s Tally Wikum in the 140-pound final. Haag took a hard spill off the mat but recovered in time to continue the match and finish off the win. Haag is 25-3 on the season. 
• Goodland’s Destiny Gonzalez earned a hard-fought 5-4 decision over Lyrica Orosco in the 145-pound final. Gonzalez is 31-1 on the season. 
• Scott City’s Johnna Sowers captured the 155-pound title with a 4-2 decision over Wichita County’s Kaley Logue in the final to move to 29-3 on the season. 
• Hill City’s Lilliana Spino was the 190-pound champion. In the final, Colby’s Tessa Hill was forced to retire from the match due to injury early in the third period. 
• Reigning state champion MacKayla Miller from Scott City continued her dominant season, winning the 235-pound title with a pin over Hill City’s Gracie Penrod. 

Hays’ Zimmerman notches big win at Dodge City regional 

Hays senior Sarah Zimmerman was named regional wrestler of the year at Dodge City after picking up a big win in the 110-pound regional final. 

Zimmerman got a third-period pin over No. 1-ranked Anna Cullens from Hutchinson, avenging a loss to Cullens at the Rocky Welton Invitational. 

Zimmerman, a two-time state runner-up, moved to 27-1 on the season while Cullens took her first loss to drop to 23-1. 

The 110-pound weight class is expected to be one of the most competitive classes at next week's Class 6A-5A state tournament with Zimmerman, Cullens and reigning state champion Larissa Garcia from Wichita North. 

Liberal’s Mana Chanthasone continued an impressive senior season with a regional title at 100 pounds. Chanthasone pinned Wichita West’s Jacqueline Salas in the final. Chanthasone is 23-1 on the season. 

Dodge City earned the regional team title, recording 233 points to Garden City’s 205. 

The Red Demons had five regional champions:
 

• Ariana De La Rosa (28-1) pinned Great Bend’s Daizy Gomez in the 125-pound final. 
• Hailey Ramos (31-6)  pinned Hays’ Lexi Burton for the 135-pound title. 
• Ashley Arroyo remained unbeaten at 24-0 with a pin of Garden City’s Angel Serrano for the 145-pound title. 
• Jolette Almaraz (28-5) pinned Wichita Northwest’s Aariyah Jackson to win the 170-pound title. 
• Freshman Naomi Orozco (5-3) won the 235-pound title with a pin over Derby’s over Analicia Lopez.

Garden City freshman Julissa Rodriguez (25-2) pinned Campus’ Erin Jackson in the 120-pound regional final. Buffaloes’ senior Belle Hernandez took a 9-6 decision over Carroll’s Alexis Means to win the 130-pound title. 

Hays’ Tionna Napue (28-3) claimed the 115-pound title with a 7-4 decision over Lainie Burkhart of Goddard-Eisenhower in the final. 

Check KSHSAA Covered’s state wrestling storylines for more on western Kansas wrestlers.