OVERLAND PARK — Bree Villanueva had done it twice before. Doing it a third time meant cementing her place in Junction City wrestling history. 

The Blue Jay senior capped an undefeated season Saturday night by capturing the Class 6A state championship at 115 pounds at AdventHealth Sports Park, becoming just the third wrestler in program history — boys or girls — to win three state titles. 

Villanueva finished her senior season a perfect 36-0 and closed it in convincing fashion with a 9-2 decision over Garden City’s Crystal Loera, herself a defending state champion. 

For Villanueva, simply stepping onto the mat at the state tournament has never been easy. 

“In all honesty, I have really bad anxiety whenever it gets to state,” Villanueva said. “To be able to go out there has been a blessing, but to have the support that I have, win or lose, has always been my favorite part of everything. To win it three times though has been awesome.” 

Villanueva’s path to the title was nothing short of dominant. She recorded three first-period falls to reach the championship match, pinning Olathe East’s Harper Alles in 45 seconds in the opening round, Liberal’s Alexis Luna in 34 seconds in the quarterfinals and Gardner-Edgerton’s Sage Peterson in 1:37 in the semifinals. 

That set up a marquee finals matchup with Loera, but Villanueva controlled the pace throughout, building a lead and keeping the Garden City standout at bay. 

“(Crystal) is a phenomenal wrestler,” Villanueva said. “For my title match, I just tried to leave it all on the mat.” 
 

The win capped a remarkable season in which Villanueva allowed just two points all year — both coming in the state finals — while recording 34 first-period pins. 

Junction City coach Carl Laughlin said Villanueva’s dominance and work ethic made her one of the best he’s ever coached. 

“Bree is probably the best wrestler I have ever coached,” Laughlin said. “Her skills are outstanding. She is very strong and has great balance and hip control. Bree works very hard in the room and is a great teammate, always encouraging and helping her teammates.” 

While Villanueva’s victory was a display of control and experience, teammate Elizabeth Edgerton-Diaz delivered one of the most dramatic finishes of the entire tournament. 

The Junction City junior rallied in the closing seconds to stun Gardner-Edgerton’s Josie Clouse 7-6 in the 130-pound championship match. 

Edgerton-Diaz trailed 4-0 early and was still behind 6-3 with just 21 seconds remaining. But she refused to panic. 

First came an escape to make it 6-4. Moments later, Edgerton-Diaz secured a takedown with just seven seconds left to complete the comeback and capture her first state title. 

“Winning that state title means so much to me,” Edgerton-Diaz said. “It not only showed all the hard work I put into wrestling, but also showed all the time my teammates, coaches and family members sacrificed for me.” 

When the final whistle blew, the emotion poured out. 

“I immediately started sobbing once the last whistle blew and cried the whole time I celebrated,” she said. 

 

The championship was a major leap forward after Edgerton-Diaz placed sixth at state a year ago. That finish, she said, motivated her throughout the offseason. 

“Placing sixth last year was a huge accomplishment, but I left feeling like I didn’t perform my best,” she said. “It made me want to climb the rankings and show everyone that I can do even better than that.” 

Her tournament run included a technical fall over Wichita Southeast’s Karen Gonzalez in the quarterfinals and a 15-5 major decision over Shawnee Mission South’s Addilyn Masters in the semifinals. 

In the finals, her mindset never wavered despite the deficit. 

“During my finals match, I never got down on myself and instead kept saying that I would win and to stay confident in my wrestling,” Edgerton-Diaz said. “If I still wanted to win, I needed to work and execute my own shots and wrestle as hard as I could, which is exactly what I did.” 

Laughlin said the comeback perfectly reflected the determination Edgerton-Diaz brings to everything she does. 

“During her final match, she never felt defeated even after being down 4-0,” Laughlin said. “She knew that she would find a way; that is how Liz works. She never lets herself get down.” 

For Villanueva, the moment also marked the end of a career that helped define Junction City wrestling. 

“The win is great,” she said, “but the fact I did it with such an amazing team makes it even harder to say goodbye.” 

 

 KIRK REPEATS, FLANNER BREAKS THROUGH WITH 6A STATE TITLE FOR SHAWNEE MISSION SOUTH

One year after heartbreak turned into motivation, Shawnee Mission South’s Siobhan Flanner stood atop the medal stand Saturday night — and not far away was teammate Lulu Kirk, celebrating a championship of her own. 

The Raiders’ sophomore duo delivered a memorable performance at the Class 6A state girls wrestling tournament at AdventHealth Sports Park in Overland Park, with Flanner claiming her first state title at 170 pounds and Kirk successfully defending her championship at 235. 

Together, the pair accounted for two of Shawnee Mission South’s biggest moments of the weekend. 

For Kirk, the victory marked a historic achievement for the program. 

The sophomore captured her second straight state title with a 7-3 decision over Olathe North’s Molly Marty in the championship match. The two Sunflower League rivals have developed one of the state’s most familiar matchups, facing each other six times during the season after also meeting in last year’s state final. 

“Having Lulu win her second state title was an incredible experience for our team,” Shawnee Mission South coach Gavin Spake said. “Lulu is the first girl in our program’s history to win more than one state title. We are very proud of that. She works incredibly hard during the season and in the offseason to train for the state tournament.” 

Kirk’s path back to the championship match included three pins. She opened the tournament with a fall over Wichita South’s Aneisa Ornelas in 2:08 before pinning Wichita Northwest’s Grace Alessi in 1:51 in the quarterfinals. She then secured a semifinal fall over Wichita North’s Scarlett Villareal in 4:57 to return to the finals. 

With so many previous meetings against Marty, Kirk said the familiarity helped her prepare for the title match. 

“Actually, there is an advantage to wrestling several times throughout the season,” Kirk said. “The more you meet each other on the mat, the more you learn their strengths and weaknesses. Before the match even started, I knew what to expect and what to look for, and I felt confident, having had several recent matches under my belt.” 

Kirk said repeating as champion was the result of goals she set long before the season began. 

“I feel validated and successful in meeting the expectations and goals that both my coaches and I set forth at the beginning of the season,” she said. “Overall, I would give myself a 4 out of 5 on the title match — always room for improvement.” 

While Kirk returned to the top of the podium, Flanner’s championship run was fueled by a year of determination. 
 

After finishing second at state as a freshman, the Shawnee Mission South sophomore put together a dominant season, finishing 49-2 with 37 of those wins coming by pin. 

“Siobhan had an amazing season,” Spake said. “After finishing second last year at state she has dedicated the last year to training for a state title. Her regular season performance showed that she was ready for the state tournament and to do just that.” 

Flanner showed that dominance throughout the state tournament, pinning all four of her opponents on the way to the 170-pound title. She needed just 38 seconds to pin Topeka’s Tanizja Huggins in the opening round before recording falls against Gardner-Edgerton’s Annelise Elliott in 1:34 and Derby’s Chloe Spears in 2:40. 

In the championship match, Flanner secured the title with a fall over Washburn Rural’s Elia Smith in 5:06. 

“Walking off the mat a champion felt so surreal,” Flanner said. “I worked so hard for that moment and I still can’t believe I did it. Overall I think I wrestled super smart and I stayed in good position for the most part.” 

The runner-up finish the previous year helped drive her throughout the offseason. 

“Getting second last year really hurt,” Flanner said. “I worked so hard and I fell short but it pushed me to work a lot harder. I focused on my technique and moves I knew I was good at. I doubted myself a lot this season and it was hard getting out of that mindset, but what helped was all the support I was getting from my coaches and teammates.” 

The two champions have grown together within the program, arriving at Shawnee Mission South as freshmen and pushing each other in the practice room. 

“I am so proud of Lulu for getting a second state title,” Flanner said. “She’s one of the hardest working people I know. She’s always pushing me and our other teammates to their limits and she loves to see everyone succeed. She’s an amazing practice partner but an even better person.” 

Kirk said sharing the moment with her teammate made the experience even more meaningful. 

“It was fantastic. I was so proud of her,” Kirk said. “Siobhan and I started together as freshmen, and I have seen firsthand how hard she works, how dedicated she is, and how much it means to her. We support each other through our friendship. We try to find the positive in everything we do.” 

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DODGE CITY SENIORS CAP CAREERS WITH STATE WRESTLING TITLES

Elizabeth Ramirez and Yareli Garcia couldn’t have scripted a better ending to their high school wrestling careers. 

The Dodge City seniors closed out their time with the Red Demons on top of the podium Saturday, each capturing a state championship at the Class 6A girls wrestling tournament at AdventHealth Sports Park. 

Ramirez claimed her second consecutive title at 105 pounds in dominant fashion, while Garcia powered her way to her first championship at 155 pounds with four pins. Together, the senior duo delivered a memorable finish for Dodge City. 

For Ramirez, the second title carried a special meaning. 

“How the second state title made me feel was surreal,” Ramirez said. “I can definitely say seventh grade me would be stunned and overjoyed. Winning my first state title was the most emotional, then my second one — but both of those moments meant so much to me and I will cherish them forever.” 

Ramirez finished the season 40-1 and scored 28 team points in the tournament. Her path to the title was commanding from the start. She opened with a 25-second pin of Blue Valley’s Jalynn Lausten, then followed with a 9-1 major decision over Washburn Rural’s Aliyah Tangpricha in the quarterfinals. 

In the semifinals, Ramirez rolled to a technical fall over Wichita Northwest’s Jayden Gittrich before closing out the tournament with a 15-0 technical fall over Garden City’s Emjay Marez in the championship match. 

Dodge City coach Trent Cole said watching Ramirez finish her career on top was especially meaningful. 
 

“Elizabeth winning her second state title was truly a bittersweet moment for me,” Cole said. “I had the privilege of starting my head coaching career with her when she was in middle school, and to see everything come full circle — from winning WAC as her coach then to watching her capture a second state championship as a senior — means more than I can fully put into words.” 

Cole said Ramirez’s success has been built on consistency and dedication, noting she hasn’t lost to a Kansas opponent in two full years. 

“She competes year-round, seeks out high-level competition and never shies away from challenges,” Cole said. “She’s set a standard for what it means to represent our program with toughness, humility and work ethic.” 

Garcia matched that dominance in her own bracket. 

The 155-pound senior finished the season 42-1 and scored 30 team points, pinning all four opponents on her way to the championship. She opened with a fall over Olathe Northwest’s McKenzie Kennett, then added another pin against Liberal’s Evelyn Sandoval in the quarterfinals. 

Garcia continued the run with a semifinal fall over Olathe North’s Mia Tompkins before sealing the title with a first-period pin of Gardner-Edgerton’s Jadyn Clouse in 1:34. 

Knowing it was her final high school tournament, Garcia said she entered the weekend with a clear goal. 

“Knowing it would be my final high school tournament, I went into the weekend with one goal in mind — to finish on top,” Garcia said. “It was a bittersweet feeling to finally accomplish what I set out to do at the start of my high school career. I feel like I peaked at the right moment.” 

Garcia’s journey to the title was years in the making. Inspired by watching her older siblings wrestle, she began the sport in seventh grade and steadily improved through her high school career. After placing fifth as a freshman and missing the podium as a sophomore, Garcia committed to additional offseason work and freestyle competition. 

That dedication paid off with a third-place finish as a junior and ultimately a state championship as a senior. 

“This season she truly developed a championship mindset,” Cole said. “There was a different level of confidence, focus and composure about her every time she stepped on the mat. The way she put everything together and won in such dominant fashion speaks to the preparation she’s put in over the years.” 

 MANHATTAN'S SLIFER WINS SECOND TITLE, HOEME FINISHES PERFECT SEASON WITH 6A CROWN

For much of the season, Alayna Slifer and Sophia Hoeme have been separated by just a few pounds on the scale — and very little else. 

The two Manhattan wrestlers have spent countless practices pushing, drilling and sharpening each other in the wrestling room. On Saturday, that partnership paid off in the best way possible. 

Slifer and Hoeme delivered back-to-back state championships for the Indians at 135 and 140 pounds at the Class 6A state wrestling tournament at AdventHealth Sports Park in Overland Park, with Slifer winning her second title and Hoeme capturing her first while completing an undefeated season. 

Their victories came just minutes apart, a fitting moment for two wrestlers who have helped elevate each other all year. 

“Seeing Alayna win her state title was incredible,” Hoeme said. “We’ve pushed each other all season long, and we both know exactly what kind of sacrifice goes into a year like this. Having a practice partner who matches your intensity and has similar goals makes such a difference. Sharing this moment together is what makes all the hard work worth it.” 

Slifer, a senior, powered her way to the 135-pound title with a dominant performance throughout the tournament. She pinned all four opponents she faced, including a fall over Garden City’s Kylie Huber in 3:02 in the championship match. 

The title capped a 39-1 season and marked the second straight championship for Slifer, who has posted a remarkable 77-3 record over the past two years. 

“The state title is a great accomplishment, but to me it is a symbol of all the great times that I have had with the Manhattan wrestling team,” Slifer said. “I just went out and let it fly. It is nice to be on top, but it just proves all the hard work we put into our program in and out of the room.” 

Slifer wasted little time asserting herself in the bracket. She opened the tournament with a pin in just 22 seconds against Shawnee Mission East’s Storm Vontz, then followed with falls in the quarterfinals and semifinals to reach the title match. 

“I think I wrestled great,” Slifer said. “I just wrestled very free and there was nothing else for me to do but let it fly out there and enjoy it one last time. At the same time, you still have to stay aggressive out there and I had fun.” 

Shortly after Slifer stepped off the mat, Hoeme delivered a championship performance of her own. 
 

The Manhattan junior completed a perfect 38-0 season with a tightly contested 2-1 victory in a tiebreaker over Maize’s Scarlett Yeager in the 140-pound final. Hoeme controlled the pace throughout the match and relied on patience and discipline to secure the deciding point. 

“I thought I wrestled smart and stayed composed in my finals match,” Hoeme said. “I focused on controlling the pace and sticking to what I’ve practiced all season. The key to coming out with the win was staying confident, not forcing anything, and trusting my training.” 

Hoeme’s run to the title included a fall in the opening round, an 18-0 technical fall in the quarterfinals and a semifinal pin to reach the championship bout. 

Winning the title — and finishing the year undefeated — made the moment even more meaningful. 

“Winning a state title honestly means more to me than I can even put into words,” Hoeme said. “It’s something I have worked toward for a long time, so to finally accomplish that goal was really special. Finishing the season undefeated definitely made it even more meaningful. It wasn’t just one good tournament — it was consistency, discipline and focus all season long.” 

For Slifer, watching Hoeme claim her championship was nearly as rewarding as winning her own. 

“Seeing Sophia win hers was just as special as winning my own,” Slifer said. “I work with her every day after school and she just means a lot to me. To see her get what she deserves, I’m just super proud of her. She is my drill partner at practice and I couldn’t do what I did without her.” 

 

OLATHE EAST'S LENNARD RALLIES FOR SECOND STRAIGHT 6A STATE TITLE

For a brief moment Saturday night, Audrey Lennard was in serious trouble. 

The Olathe East senior had been on her back twice in the opening period of the Class 6A 145-pound state championship match and trailed by eight points. For the first time all season, the undefeated defending champion looked vulnerable. 

Then Lennard reset. 

Moments after an injury timeout between periods, Lennard found the opening she had been waiting for, hitting a big move early in the second period and pinning Washburn Rural’s Emme Blanco in 3:06 to secure her second straight state championship.. 

The dramatic comeback capped a perfect 44-0 season and cemented Lennard’s place in program history as Olathe East’s first girls wrestling state champion. 

“It is just the culmination of a lot of hard work and the effort that my coaches have invested into me,” Lennard said. 

The championship match started far differently than Lennard had hoped. 

Blanco came out aggressive and nearly ended the match early, putting Lennard on her back twice during the first period. When the period ended, Lennard found herself trailing 11-3 — unfamiliar territory for a wrestler who had dominated opponents all season. 

After taking an injury timeout and regrouping before the second period, Lennard returned to the mat with a different mindset. 

“After that injury time, I knew that I just needed to reset and focus on my stuff,” Lennard said. “My coaches wanted me to go big and I just wanted to try and get it one point at a time, and it ended up being a big move.” 

That move ended the match. 

Early in the second period, Lennard seized control, turning Blanco to her back and finishing the pin to complete the comeback and defend her title. 

Olathe East coach Audrey Griffin said the deficit created some concern, but never doubt. 

“The score worried me only because we hadn’t been in that position all year,” Griffin said. “It was uncomfortable and unfamiliar. I never questioned that she didn’t have the grit to keep fighting though. I knew the second period was going to be the reset that she needed.” 

The title marked the second straight dramatic championship win for Lennard. Last season, she stunned Olathe North’s Kaylan Hitchcock — a two-time state champion — to capture her first crown. 

This year’s run was just as memorable, but even more dominant. 

Lennard rolled through the bracket leading up to the final. She opened with a first-round pin over Campus’ Jaysa Osborne, then earned a 15-2 major decision over Olathe West’s Jina Costas in the quarterfinals. Lennard followed with a semifinal fall against Garden City’s Aria Cordes to reach the title match. 
 

Despite the undefeated record, Lennard said she never focused on it throughout the season. 

“I really wasn’t focused on the record throughout the season,” she said. “I was just taking it one match at a time. To have an undefeated season, while it was a mental battle, it really does feel good.” 

Lennard’s rise in the sport began in middle school, when she first started wrestling in eighth grade and quickly found success at youth tournaments. Since then, the sport has become a central part of her life. 

“Between my freshman and sophomore year I went to a ton of summer training and was wrestling every day in the spring,” Lennard said. “Ever since then, wrestling has been a big part of my life.” 

Her relentless work ethic has been one of the defining traits of her career, according to Griffin. 

“Coaching Audrey has been amazing,” Griffin said. “She is one of the most disciplined athletes I’ve ever met. The hardest part is getting her to slow down and take a rest day because she is just go, go, go all the time.” 

Along the way this season, Lennard reached several milestones, including 100 career wins and 100 career pins while earning most outstanding wrestler honors at a tournament. 

But the state title was the goal that mattered most. 

“I was so excited to see her pull off the win,” Griffin said. “It wouldn’t have felt complete if she didn’t end with a win.” 

Beyond the accolades, Lennard’s championship also represents a milestone for Olathe East’s girls wrestling program. 

“It is really cool to be able to help build a culture here and just to help everyone grow in wrestling,” Lennard said. 

DERBY'S BEARD, CAMPUS' EVANS CLAIM FIRST UNDEFEATED STATE TITLES

Two undefeated seasons. Two first-time champions. And two Wichita-area wrestlers who climbed to the top of the Class 6A podium for the first time. 

Derby freshman Presley Beard and Campus junior Elayna Evans each captured their first state championships Saturday, finishing perfect seasons in the process. 

Beard claimed the 120-pound title with a 32-0 record, while Evans rolled to the 190-pound crown at 35-0, also becoming the first girls state champion in Campus High School history. 
 

For Beard, the moment was the payoff for years spent on the mat. 

“It meant a lot,” Beard said. “I had been working really hard all season with my coaches and teammates helping me, so to accomplish that goal felt very awarding.” 

The Derby freshman dominated her way to the championship match with three straight pins, including a 28-second fall over Lawrence’s Paige Fishburn in the opening round and another quick fall in the semifinals against Manhattan’s Eleanor Radi. 

In the title match, Beard faced fellow freshman Aspen Walker of Gardner-Edgerton and earned a 7-2 decision to secure the championship. 

Derby coach Kelly Heincker said Beard’s undefeated season was impressive considering the level of competition she faced throughout the year. 

“Presley had an incredible season this year,” Heincker said. “Finishing undefeated is a great accomplishment, especially when you factor in how tough our schedule is. She loves high-level competition, so it was fun to see her have to earn that last match.” 

Despite the perfect record, Beard said her focus throughout the season was more about performance than wins. 

“I don’t set winning-based goals,” she said. “I set performance-based goals, so winning to me is just a perk to hitting those goals that I’m setting every match.” 

One of the most meaningful parts of the moment came after the match, when Beard celebrated the title with family members who have supported her wrestling journey for years — including her mother, Tristyn Macy, who also serves as a Derby assistant coach. 
 

“She has been my biggest supporter since day one,” Beard said. “So to have her in my corner now watching me accomplish one of my goals, it felt great.” 

Heincker said that family support has been a major part of Beard’s success. 

“She had over 20 extended family members there and it was a joy to watch them all celebrate together,” Heincker said. “They have all invested so much into her that it truly was a family accomplishment.” 

While Beard’s championship marked the beginning of what could be a long run of success, Evans’ title was the culmination of years of growth. 

The Campus junior went from not placing at the state tournament during her first two seasons to finishing this year undefeated and as a state champion. 

“It felt like a million bucks,” Evans said. “I’ve been working for this my whole high school career and it just felt so good.” 

Evans dominated the 190-pound bracket, recording three pins in the tournament, including a fall in just 1:17 against Liberal’s Aileen Figueroa in the championship match. 

Campus coach Jacob Allan said Evans’ work ethic over the past three years made the moment especially rewarding. 

“I have watched this girl grind for three years now and to see it all pay off was awesome to witness,” Allan said. “Her goal from the start of the year was to be Campus High School’s first girl state champion.” 

Evans began wrestling only a few years ago after a teacher encouraged her to try the sport, noticing her athleticism.
 

From there, her improvement came quickly. After narrowly missing the state tournament as a freshman and going 2-and-out after qualifying as a sophomore, Evans spent the offseason competing in freestyle and Greco tournaments and even wrestled at Fargo. 

This season, everything came together. 

“The jump overall is crazy,” Evans said. “These are bigger girls that I wrestled this year and I only had a little bit of experience at this weight class. To be able to go undefeated probably boosted my ego a little bit, but I just try to stay humble and build my confidence.” 

Along the way, Evans also enjoyed the support from those around her at school. 

“One thing that’s great with winning is seeing all my teachers keep congratulating me,” she said. “They are all so supportive of me and it feels amazing.” 
 

30 POINTS TO GOLD: JACKSON WINS 6A TITLE FOR GARDNER 

Gardner-Edgerton’s Brielynn Jackson didn’t wrestle like a freshman Saturday night. 

In a championship match filled with constant action, the Trailblazers’ ninth grader kept scoring — again and again — until there was no doubt who would leave the mat with a state title. 

Jackson captured the 110-pound championship with a 30-14 technical fall over Shawnee Mission South senior Stella Segura at the Class 6A state wrestling tournament at AdventHealth Sports Park in Overland Park, helping power Gardner-Edgerton to a runner-up team finish. 

The Trailblazers scored 197 points to take second place and had 10 wrestlers finish on the podium, with Jackson leading the way with her first state championship. 

“It was a pretty big deal for me to win a state title as a freshman, and I am very grateful for this opportunity,” Jackson said. “That was definitely one of my main goals of the season.” 

Jackson’s title match quickly turned into one of the highest-scoring finals of the night. 

Facing Segura, a former state champion and senior, Jackson found herself in a back-and-forth battle early as both wrestlers traded points. But Jackson never slowed her pace, continuing to pile up offense throughout the match until she reached the 30-point mark for the technical fall. 

“I was a little nervous before my match because I knew my opponent was tough and a very good wrestler,” Jackson said. “But I didn’t let that affect my wrestling.” 

In fact, Jackson didn’t even realize just how much offense she had generated until afterward. 
 

“I have never scored 30 points in a match before, and I didn’t even realize it until after when my coaches were talking about it,” she said. 

Jackson’s dominant performance in the final was nothing new during the tournament. 

She opened the bracket with a 27-second pin of Free State’s Brielle Preston, then rolled to a pair of technical falls in the quarterfinals and semifinals to reach the championship match. 

Gardner-Edgerton coach Tyler Cordts said Jackson’s ability to stay composed on the biggest stage was remarkable for a first-year high school wrestler. 

“Seeing Brielynn win a state title as a freshman — and dominate the way she did — meant everything to us,” Cordts said. “She didn’t just compete — she controlled matches, stayed disciplined in her positions and wrestled with a level of composure you don’t usually see from a ninth grader.” 

Jackson’s performance was also a key part of Gardner-Edgerton’s strong team showing, as the Trailblazers placed second overall and filled the podium with a deep lineup of medalists. 

But beyond the results, Cordts said Jackson’s impact on the program extends well beyond the scoreboard. 

“She isn’t just a leader on the mat, she’s a leader in everything she does,” Cordts said. “She’s a spark plug for this team — always bringing energy, fun and a great attitude. Her presence lifts the room, and that showed all weekend long.” 

For Jackson, the title represents just the beginning of what she hopes will be a long and successful career. 

“I am very excited to see where the rest of my journey goes and the plan God has for me,” Jackson said. “It makes me way more confident for what’s ahead of me, knowing I can go hard no matter what.”