Gardner-Edgerton’s girls wrestling team made a statement on the road Dec. 13, traveling to Iowa and dominating the 38-team Council Bluffs Wrestling Classic with a convincing tournament championship. 

The Trailblazers finished first by 105 points over second-place Raccoon River, the defending Iowa state champion and currently the No. 1-ranked team in Iowa.  

Gardner-Edgerton placed all 12 wrestlers in the top nine and crowned four champions: Madalyn Riedinger (100), Aspen Walker (120), Josie Clouse (130) and Camila Vazquez (140). Brielynn Jackson (110) added a runner-up finish. Riedinger, a junior, is ranked No. 1 in Class 6A, as is Jackson at 110, while Walker is No. 4, Clouse No. 3 and Vazquez No. 5. 

“We knew coming in that this team was capable of making a strong run, but last weekend everything really clicked,” Gardner-Edgerton head coach Tyler Cordts said. “The girls were locked in, competing with confidence, and firing on all cylinders from start to finish. It wasn’t just about individual performances—it was the way they wrestled for each other that stood out. Seeing that level of focus and unity was huge for the team, because now they know exactly what they’re capable of and what it feels like when everyone buys in.” 

Gardner-Edgerton entered the weekend ranked No. 3 in Class 6A, a position Cordts said reflects progress but not the team’s ultimate focus.  

“It’s been a great start, but more importantly it’s been a productive one,” he said. “The ranking is nice recognition, but it’s not what’s driving this group. These girls have come in focused, coachable, and willing to do the work every single day… the goal isn’t just to be ranked, it’s to keep improving and be at our best when it matters most.” 

Cordts credited the tournament title to strong leadership at the top of the lineup.  

“Our four champions wrestled with real purpose and intensity,” he said. “They were unrelenting in their approach, rose to the moment, and set the tone for our entire lineup. They didn’t just lead with wins on the mat—they led with their preparation, confidence, and competitiveness, which carried over to the rest of the team. That kind of leadership is invaluable. 

“Brielynn has been outstanding as well,” Cordts added. “Even though she came up short in the finals against what is likely the toughest opponent she’ll face all season, she wrestled an excellent tournament overall. Week in and week out, she continues to prove that she’s going to be a force in this program for the next four years.” 

Other Girls Standouts: 
 

• Shawnee Mission South senior Stella Segura earned her 100th career pin las Saturday at the Lady Pirate Invitational at Belton (Mo.) High School. Segura also captured the 115-pound title. Segura is currently ranked No. 2 in Class 6A. 
   

  

• Olathe East senior, and defending state champion, Audrey Lennard continues to add to her already impressive resume. Lennard is currently undefeated to start the 25-26 season and recently earned her 100th career win at the Leavenworth Challenger and was the 145-pound champion. She also won the Christmas Clash title at Great Bend. Lennard currently has a 107-28 career record and is the No. 1-ranked wrestler at 145 pounds. 

• A pair of Tonganoxie wrestlers are off to great starts to their season. Senior Autumn Wilson, a 2-time state medalist, recently took first at the Spring Hill tournament at 120 pounds and finished second at the Christmas Clash in Great Bend. Wilson has more than 100 career wins. Her teammate, Kaylee Pankey, took second at Spring Hill at 115 pounds and third at Great Bend last week. 

Boys Wrestling Standouts
 

• Basehor-Linwood, the No. 1-ranked team in Class 5A, won the 73rd Annual Goodwill Douglass Invitational, and did so despite being short-handed. The Bobcats had three champions in Trevor Christenson (132 pounds), Cael Puderbaugh (138) and Jet Millison (144). Eric Vielhauer (126) and Hudson Vanderweide (215) earned runner-up honors. Christenson and Puderbaugh are both ranked No. 1 in the state in their respective classes.  
   

  

• Olathe West senior Sam West hit a big milestone as he earned his 100th career victory last week at the Owls’ home quad. West is a returning state medalist and finished fifth last year.  
   

  

• Bonner Springs’ Lane Vogel is off to a strong start to his season after missing most of last year due to an injury. Vogel is currently 11-0 at 165 pounds and is currently ranked No. 2 in Class 5A. He earned a 11-6 decision over Tonganoxie’s Brady Martin (No. 1 in 4A) earlier this year and already has big win in a 4-2 decision over St. Thomas Aquinas’ Vince Dugan (No. 4 in 5A) by a first period pin. He earned first place at the Leavenworth Challenger and was named to the All-Tournament Team for the Shawnee Mission Northwest Duals.