CLASS 6A GIRLS WRESTLERS TO WATCH IN 2025-26
 

NICOLE ABREGO, GARDEN CITY
 
Preseason No. 2 at 100

Abrego helped lead off a deep Garden City lineup last season. She reached the 100-pound semifinals after beating Garden City’s Keirsie Carlile by 3-1 decision in overtime before falling to Gardner Edgerton’s Madalyn Riedinger in the semifinals. Abrego went on to claim third place with a 14-0 major decision over Manhattan’s Eva Lucios, capping a 33-16 sophomore season. Abrego is ranked second at 100 pounds behind Riedinger for the reigning champion Buffaloes.
 

KAIRA ACOSTA, GARDEN CITY
 
Preseason No. 2 at 115

Acosta is a three-time state qualifier and two-time state placer for the Buffaloes, earning a third-place medal in each of her last two seasons. She took a loss in the 105 quarterfinals to Washburn Rural’s Molly Spader at state last season before battling her way through the backside of the bracket. She finished the tournament with an 8-1 decision over Olathe Northwest’s Camryn West in the third-place match. Acosta went 39-11 last season as a junior. Her third-place medal as a sophomore came at 100 pounds. Acosta is ranked No. 2 at 115 behind reigning champion Bree Villanueva from Junction City. 
 

REESE ANDERSON, WICHITA NORTH
 
Preseason No. 1 at 120
 
Anderson took the rubber match from Garden City’s Julissa Rodriguez to win the Class 6A 120-pound title in her first high school season. Anderson pinned Rodriguez to win Garden City’s Rocky Welton Invitational before Rodriguez turned the tables at regionals, scoring a 26-9 technical fall. But Anderson outscored Rodriguez 16-9 in their state final to complete a 32-2 season. Anderson’s other loss came to 6A 115-pound champion Bree Villanueva of Junction City. Anderson, a Redhawks sophomore, also won titles at the Pratt, Best of the West, Wichita Heights and Greater Wichita Athletic League tournaments.
 

LILIANA ARROYO, DODGE CITY
 
Preseason No. 2 at 145

Arroyo finished a strong year for the Red Demons with a fourth-place showing at 145 pounds last season. Season highlights included tournament wins at the Garden City Rocky Welton Invitational and Dodge City Invitational and a regional championship. Arroyo beat Shawnee Mission Northwest’s Addison Baker in the state quarterfinals before falling to Olathe East’s Audrey Lennard in the semis. She finished with a 29-8 record. Arroyo is ranked No. 2 at 145 pounds behind Lennard, the reigning champion.
 

 
EMMERSON BLANCO, WASHBURN RURAL
 
Preseason No. 3 at 145

Her path to a spot as a regular in the varsity lineup blocked by upperclassmen her first two seasons, Emmerson joined twin sister Madison as not only a fixture in the lineup last year but also joined her as a state placer. Blanco moved into the opening at 140 pounds and enjoyed a big junior season, posting a 35-10 record. She captured Centennial League and Class 6A regional titles and pinned her way into the state semifinals – including an 18-second pin in her first match – before seeing the run end with a pin loss to Olathe North’s Makenzie Sharp. Blanco bounced back to finish third, adding two more pins.
 

 
MADISON BLANCO, WASHBURN RURAL
 
Preseason No. 3 at 140

Blanco’s junior showing at the Class 6A state tournament was a bit less adventurous than her sophomore season when she was upset in her opening match at 130 pounds, but worked her way through the backside with three straight pins to reach the consolation semifinals, eventually settling for a sixth-place showing. Last year at 135 pounds, Blanco made her way to the championship semifinals before getting pinned by eventual champion Alayna Slifer of Manhattan. She responded with a win in the consolation semifinals, but fell in the consolation finals to finish fourth and end the season with a 30-8 record. She’s one of two two-time state placers in the Rural lineup this season along with fellow senior Lacey Middleton.
 

 
BROOKLYN BURLING, CAMPUS
 
Preseason No. 3 at 235
 
Burling, a junior, made her first state appearance last season, finishing fourth in 6A at 235 pounds. She came into the tournament as a regional champion, winning three matches in that tournament by pins, including a championship match victory over Washburn Rural’s Justice McBurney. Shawnee Mission South’s Lulu Kirk pinned Burling in the state semifinals, but her 2-2 record got her on the medal stand and completed a 35-5 season that included tournament titles at Valley Center, Douglass, Wichita North, Clearwater and Garden City. Burling went 21-8 as a freshman, falling in the blood round at the 6-5A regional.
 

MARIBEL CASTRO, DODGE CITY
 
Preseason No. 2 at 190

Castro secured her first state medal last season with a fourth-place showing at 190 pounds. After losing 6-4 to Wichita Northwest’s Maray Rogers in the quarterfinals, Castro fought through the backside of the bracket to reach the third-place match before falling to Rogers. She went 31-13 in her junior season. Another highlight for Castro was winning a tournament title at the Great Bend Christmas Classic. Castro is ranked No. 2 at 190 behind Rogers.
 

JOSIE CLOUSE, GARDNER EDGERTON
 
Preseason No. 4 at 125

Clouse is back for her sophomore season at Gardner Edgerton, ready to build on a strong freshman campaign that saw her reach the podium at the state tournament at 125 pounds. Competing this year at either 125 or 130 pounds, Clouse made an immediate impact last season with a 34-9 record, claiming the league championship, finishing as regional runner-up, and earning a fourth-place medal at the Class 6A state tournament. She recorded 23 pins as a freshman as she looks to lead the Blazers back to state. 
 

 
AILEEN FIGUEROA, LIBERAL
 
Preseason No. 3 at 190

Figueroa capped her sophomore campaign with a third-place state medal at 235 pounds last season. She pinned Washburn Rural’s Justice McBurney in the quarterfinals before losing by 5-0 decision to Olathe North’s Molly Marty in the semis. Figueroa finished 28-8. She was the 235 champion at the Dodge City Invitational last season. Figueroa is expected to compete at 190 this season, where she is ranked third behind Wichita Northwest’s Maray Rogers and Dodge City’s Maribel Castro.
 

SIOBHAN FLANNER, SHAWNEE MISSION SOUTH
 
Preseason No. 1 at 155

After an impressive freshman campaign, Flanner is set to make a big impact once again at 155 pounds. Flanner cruised through the bracket last season to reach the 6A state championship match before falling to Derby’s Veronica Madrid, finishing with a 47-5 record and 40 pins. She also won a Sunflower League title. As one of five returning state medalists for South, Flanner is part of a team expected to compete among the state’s best. Her contributions were a key factor in helping the Cougars secure a fourth-place finish at state last year. Over the summer, Flanner wrestled for Team Kansas at Fargo and took eighth overall.  
 

YARELI GARCIA, DODGE CITY
 
Preseason No. 2 at 155

As a junior, Garcia racked up six tournament wins at 155 and finished the regular season undefeated. Garcia took third at state to close out a 38-2 season. She fell to Shawnee Mission South’s Siobhan Flanner in the state semifinals and her only other loss came against Derby state champion Veronica Madrid in the regional title match. Garcia is a three-time state qualifier. She earned a fifth-place medal at 140 pounds as a freshman. Garcia is ranked No. 2 at 155 behind Flanner.
 

KAREN GONZALEZ, WICHITA SOUTHEAST
 
Preseason No. 2 at 130
 
Gonzalez, a senior, posted a 26-7 record last season and finished second in 6A at 130 pounds. Garden City’s Maya Tarbet pinned Gonzalez late in the third period at both regionals and state en route to her third career state title. Gonzalez posted tournament victories at Southeast’s home tournament and at Wichita Heights. She also finished second at the Wichita North, Best of the West and Greater Wichita Athletic League meets. Gonzalez has signed to wrestle at Friends University.
 

MARGARITA GUZMAN, GARDEN CITY
 
Preseason No. 2 at 135

Guzman notched a fourth-place medal in her second trip to the state tournament. She reached the 140 semifinals last season after pinning Derby’s Dacia Root in the quarterfinals. In the semis, Guzman lost to Olathe Northwest’s Hailey Arthur by fall. Guzman finished her junior season with a 36-10 record. She won tournaments at Newton and Valley Center. Guzman is expected to compete at 135 pounds, where she is ranked second behind reigning champion Alayna Slifer from Manhattan.

 
SOPHIA HOEME, MANHATTAN
 
Preseason No. 1 at 140

Coming off a breakout season that saw her post a 41-8 record and place fourth at 145 pounds, Hoeme will drop down a weight class to 140 this season and start the year ranked No. 1. Hoeme had gone 31-12 her freshman season before topping the 40-win mark last year. She advanced to the 145 state semifinals before falling to multi-time state champion Kaylan Hitchcock of Olathe North. She then dropped a tiebreaker 7-6 loss to Shawnee Mission South’s Sevyn Donovan in the consolation semifinals before winning her fifth-place match. Hoeme also captured a Centennial League title, helping the Indians to their first-ever league crown. 
 

LULU KIRK, SHAWNEE MISSION SOUTH
 
Preseason No. 1 at 235

Kirk enters this season as one of the state’s top heavyweights. Last year, as a freshman, Kirk captured the Class 6A state title at 235 pounds, finishing with a 36-8 record and 22 pins. She dominated at state with three falls, including a second-period pin over Olathe North’s Molly Marty in the championship match. Over the summer, Kirk continued to impress nationally, wrestling for Team Kansas at Fargo and finishing as the national runner-up. She is one of five returning state medalists for South and will look to build on her freshman success as she chases back-to-back state titles. 
 

AUDREY LENNARD, OLATHE EAST
 
Preseason No. 1. At 145

Lennard returns to the mat looking to defend her state title at 145 pounds. Last season, Lennard put together an impressive 39-5 record, scoring 272 team points and 342 match points, while earning 27 pins along the way. Her state tournament run was loaded with big wins, as she edged Shawnee Mission South’s Sevyn Donovan 8-6 in the quarters, pinned Dodge City’s Lilliana Arroyo Alba in the semifinals, and captured the championship with a 7-4 sudden victory over Olathe North’s Kaylan Hitchcock. A three-time state qualifier and two-time placer, Lennard’s career record now stands at 96-28. She made her mark with a third-place finish at 140 pounds in 2024 before claiming her first state crown last year. 
 

CRYSTAL LOERA, GARDEN CITY
 
Preseason No. 1 at 130

Loera is the reigning state champion at 125 pounds. She secured her championship with a pin of Olathe Northwest’s Megan Vasquez in the title match. Loera, who helped Garden City win the team title, finished her sophomore season with a 45-5 record. She won six tournaments, including the Newton Tournament of Champions and Garden City’s Rocky Welton Invitational. As a freshman, Loera took third at 115 pounds. She’s headed up one weight class to 130, where she is ranked No. 1 to start her junior season.
 

MARINA LOERA, GARDEN CITY
 
Preseason No. 2 at 120

Loera made a run to the 115 title match last season before losing by fall to Junction City’s Bree Villanueva. She beat a former state champion in Shawnee Mission South’s Stella Segura in the semifinals. Loera finished her sophomore campaign with a 43-4 record and won tournament titles at Garden City’s Rocky Welton Invitational and the Newton Tournament of Champions. She is a two-time state placer, taking fourth as a freshman at 110 pounds. Loera is expected to compete at 120 this season for the reigning champion Buffaloes. She is ranked No. 2 behind Wichita North’s Reese Anderson.
 

 
EVA LUCIOS, MANHATTAN
 
Preseason No. 4 at 110

Sitting just 36-30 in her career going into last year, Lucios suddenly became a force for the Indians, helping them to the Centennial League championship. She surpassed her career win total going into the season in going 38-8 and capped the breakout season with a fourth-place finish at 100 pounds at the Class 6A state meet. Lucios pinned her way into the semifinals before getting pinned by eventual state champion Jaidyn Alvarado of Junction City. After winning a 4-2 decision in the consolation semifinals, Lucios fell 14-0 to Garden City’s Nicole Abrego in the consolation finals.
 

EMJAY MAREZ, GARDEN CITY
 
Preseason No. 2 at 110

Marez finished one win away from a state title last season as a junior, reaching the 110-pound final. She earned her title shot after winning a 9-7 decision over Olathe Northwest’s Emmerson Keller in the semis. In the final, Marez lost by 8-4 decision to two-time state champion Ashley Alonso from Dodge City. She also made the state tournament as a sophomore but did not place. Marez will enter her senior year ranked No. 2 at 110 behind Shawnee Mission South’s Stella Segura.
 

MOLLY MARTY, OLATHE NORTH
 
Preseason No. 2 at 235

Marty finished last season 25-10 and surged all the way to the state finals at 235 pounds, earning her first state medal with a runner-up finish. She powered through the bracket with two opening-round pins and a dominant 5-0 semifinal decision over Liberal’s Aileen Figueroa. Though she ultimately fell to Shawnee Mission South champion Lulu Kirk in the title match, Marty is hoping to build off her successful sophomore season. 
 

ADDILYN MASTERS, SHAWNEE MISSION SOUTH
 
Preseason No. 3 at 125

Masters finished last year with a 38-10 record and 28 pins, earning a third-place medal at the Class 6A state tournament as a freshman. After a tough quarterfinal loss to Gardner’s Josie Clouse, she fought through the consolation bracket and got revenge over Clouse in the third-place match with a 13-0 major decision. Masters also earned runner-up in the Sunflower League and helped South secure a fourth-place team finish. With that experience under her belt, she’s a key returning contributor for the Raiders this season. 
 

 
LACEY MIDDLETON, WASHBURN RURAL
 
Preseason No. 5 at 120
 
Middleton posted a sixth-place finish at 120 pounds as a sophomore in 2024, going 32-10, but was even better last year as a junior. Staying at 120, Middleton improved to a 37-9 record and moved up a couple spots on the state podium. After losing to Garden City’s Julissa Rodriguez in the quarterfinals, Middleton came back with three straight pins to reach the consolation finals where she dropped a 17-9 decision to Wichita Heights’ Jada Reed, finishing fourth. She helped Rural to a third-place team finish at state last year. 
 

NAOMI OROZCO, DODGE CITY
 
Preseason No. 1 at 170

Orozco put together a strong finish to her junior season. She won her last three tournaments heading into the state meet before reaching the 170 state final. Orozco set up her title shot with a pin of Elinna Kahrs in the semifinals before losing by fall to Olathe South’s Justice Thomas in the title match. Orozco finished with a 36-6 record. Orozco is ranked No. 1 at 170 pounds.
 

 
ELEANOR RADI, MANHATTAN
 
Preseason No. 4 at 130

A regional runner-up a year ago, Radi bounced back from a state quarterfinal upset loss to Wichita Southeast’s Karen Gonzalez to win three straight matches to reach the consolation finals where she lost by technical fall to Shawnee Mission South’s Rachael Wilson. The fourth-place showing finished off a 32-15 season for Radi, who had gone 22-14 as a freshman. She helped Manhattan capture the Centennial League title for the first time in program history as the Indians ended Washburn Rural’s reign and streak of 65 straight dual victories.
  

ELIZABETH RAMIREZ, DODGE CITY
 
Preseason No. 1 at 105

Ramirez is the reigning 105-pound state champ. She bookended a 38-2 season with a 10-2 major decision over Washburn Rural’s Molly Spader in the championship match. Ramirez won six tournaments in her junior season. Her only losses came to out-of-state opponents. She’ll remain at 105 pounds and is ranked No. 1 heading into her senior campaign.
 

JADA REED, WICHITA HEIGHTS
 
Preseason No. 4 at 120
 
Reed, a junior, became Heights’ first girls state wrestling medal winner last season, finishing third in 6A at 120 pounds with a 20-7 record. She improved on her fifth-place regional finish, coming through the backside of the bracket after losing a hard-fought overtime quarterfinal to Shawnee Mission Northwest’s Mia Butler, a regional champion. Reed’s fifth victory of the state tournament was a 17-9 major decision over Washburn Rural’s Lacey Middleton in the third-place match. Reed posted a 20-13 record as a freshman, reaching the 6-5A regional semifinals before falling one victory shy of qualifying for state.
 

MADALYN RIEDINGER, GARDNER EDGERTON
 
Preseason No. 1 at 100

Riedinger returns to the mat this year for Gardner-Edgerton at 100 pounds, looking to continue her strong career. Last season, she went 45-3, finishing second at the Class 6A state tournament after falling to Junction City's Jaiden Alvarado in the championship. She recorded 41 pins along the way.  Riedinger has already built a memorable career with a 78-6 record, 71 career pins, two league titles, two regional championships, and two state finals appearances, including a state championship at 100 pounds as a freshman.  
 

JULISSA RODRIGUEZ, GARDEN CITY
 
Preseason No. 1 at 125

After missing her sophomore season while recovering from injuries from an ATV accident, Rodriguez made a strong return to the mat as a junior. She became a state runner-up for the second time, reaching the 120 title match before losing a 16-9 shootout against Wichita North’s Reese Anderson. Rodriguez also took second at 120 as a freshman. She was a regional champion last season and posted a 36-9 overall record. The senior is expected to move up to 125, where she is ranked No. 1.
 

 
MARAY ROGERS, WICHITA NORTHWEST
 
Preseason No. 1 at 190
 
With a pair of 2025 state finalists at 190 pounds now graduated, Rogers starts her junior season atop the KWCA’s 6A rankings. Rogers posted a 27-11 record last season and became Northwest’s first girls state medalist with her third-place finish last March. Matching her placing in the 6A West regional, Rogers reached the state semifinals before falling to Olathe North’s Kennedy Graham. But she came back to pin Junction City’s Shalina Hicks and Dodge City’s Maribel Castro to take third. 
 

STELLA SEGURA, SHAWNEE MISSION SOUTH
 
Preseason No. 1 at 110

Segura returns as the veteran leader for a Shawnee Mission South team that placed fourth at state last season. A three-time state medalist, Segura finished third at 115 pounds in 2025 after falling in the semifinals to Garden City's Marina Loera, then bouncing back with a pin over Washburn Rural’s Maddy Blow in the third-place match. The 2024 state champion at 115 pounds, Segura brings experience and leadership to a talented South squad, carrying a career record of 113-15 and a 38-7 mark from last season. 
 

 
ALAYNA SLIFER, MANHATTAN
 
Preseason No. 1 at 135
 
With the somewhat unexpected absences of multi-time state champion Sage Rosario (early graduation) and Kayla Cramer (injury), Slifer was Manhattan’s lone returning state placer as year ago after having finished fourth at 140 pounds in 2024. She had plenty of company on the podium last year, but stood out above the rest of Manhattan’s placers as she captured the state title at 135 pounds. Slifer had finished runner-up at regionals to Dodge City’s Hailey Ramos, but pinned her way to the finals where she got another crack at the Red Demon standout. This time, Slifer prevailed, pinning Ramos in the second period for her first state title. It highlighted a 38-2 season in which she also won a Centennial League title and led the Indians to their first-ever league crown. 
 

 
ELIA SMITH, WASHBURN RURAL
 
Preseason No. 2 at 170
 
A state qualifier as a sophomore in 2024 at 190 pounds, going 1-2 at state that season, Smith moved down to Rural’s opening at 170 after the graduation of TaAni Rhoten and filled the void quite well. Not only did she return to state, but she found her way on the podium. Going 36-8 overall, Smith pinned her first two state opponents to reach the semifinals before getting pinned by eventual state champion Justice Thomas of Olathe South. But Smith came baack with two pins in her final two matches to place third and help Rural to a third-place team showing.
 

CHLOE SPEARS, DERBY
 
Preseason No. 3 at 170
 
A three-time state qualifier, Spears finished a career-best fourth in 6A at 170 pounds last season. She posted a 38-8 record, winning four state matches with a pair of losses to Washburn Rural’s Elia Smith to claim her first state medal. Spears also finished second to Dodge City’s Naomi Orozco in the 6A West regional. She’s a candidate to become Derby’s second girls wrestler with 100 career wins – joining three-time state champion Amara Ehsa – after finishing 22-11 as a freshman and 34-7 as a sophomore, with 1-2 records at the 6-5A state tournament both seasons. 
 

MEGAN VASQUEZ, OLATHE NORTHWEST
 
Preseason No. 2 at 125

Vasquez put together an impressive run at 125 pounds last season, finishing as the state runner-up and earning her first state medal. She cruised through her opening rounds at state before grinding out a hard-fought 10-9 semifinal win over Manhattan’s Evelyn Thornburg to reach the championship match. Though she fell to Garden City standout Crystal Loera in the finals, Vasquez is hoping for a big season in her final year as she is ranked No. 2 at 125 to start the season. 
 

BREE VILLANUEVA, JUNCTION CITY
 
Preseason No. 1 at 115
 
After winning a Class 6A state championship at 115 pounds as a freshman, Villanueva seemed poise to make it two straight when she took an undefeated record into the 2024 state tournament. Instead, she saw the repeat bid dashed by Shawnee Mission South’s Stella Segura, who took a 4-0 win. On a redemption tour last year, Villanueva had no trouble getting her title back. She pinned all four state opponents in the first period, including a 21-second pin of Garden City’s Marina Loera in the finals. Villanueva finished the season with a 32-1 record, her lone loss coming to Norton state champion Kaison Miller. Villanueva holds an 88-4 career record going into her senior season.  
 

RACHAEL WILSON, SHAWNEE MISSION SOUTH
 
Preseason No. 3 at 130

Wrestling at 130 pounds, Wilson earned her first state medal last year with a third-place finish, opening the tournament with two pins before a narrow 5-1 loss to Wichita Southeast’s Karen Gonzalez. She bounced back on the back side with a technical fall over Manhattan’s Eleanor Radi to claim third. Wilson finished the season with a 36-10 record, capturing the Sunflower League title, and has compiled a 69-21 career record with 59 pins. As one of five returning state medalists for South, she’ll be a big part of the team’s efforts this season.