The Indians Wrestling squad sent eight wrestlers to Columbia February 20-22 for the Missouri State High School Activities Association Wrestling Championships. Freshman Keegan Emrick (106), sophomore Waylon Mansfield (126), senior Josh Rieck (160), senior Gavin Roller (220), junior Stevie Gabb (285), senior Tess Kinne (135), senior Rachel Rellihan (142), and freshman Haley Ward (130). They all qualified after placing in the top four at their respective District Tournaments. Assistant Wrestling Coach Derick Barker feels that the team did well.

“Our staff was very happy with our performance,” Coach Barker said in an email. “The State Tournament is a very tough tournament. You always come away with the feeling that you could have won a few more matches, but that is the nature of the beast.” Everyone that makes it to that point of the season deserved to be there. We are very proud of our ladies and how they represented our program and our school district.”

On the girls side, Ward claimed the first State Championship for the Indians Girls Wrestling program and finished the season 36-0. Rellihan finished 6th with a 33-10 record. Kinne lost in the wrestlebacks and ended her  season 34-11. The girls team finished 11th with 39 points. Rellihan was very proud of how the girl’s did at State.

 “Qualifying for state was an incredible feeling, for sure,” Rellihan said though a snapchat message. “When I won my match at District that put me in the semi-finals, I immediately ran up to my coaches and hugged them. State itself was indescribable. The girls team is a family, no doubt. Haley, Tess, and I are all best friends and we think of our coaches like second parents.”

For the boys, Emrick, Mansfield, Rieck, Roller and Gabb all lost in the wrestlebacks.  Emeick finished his season 34-11. Mansfield finished his final season record 25-12. Rieck finished his final season record 42-11. Roller finished his final season record 30-18. Gabb finished his final season record 39-14. The boys team finished 35th with 12 points. Rieck felt all the qualifiers had a positive experience at State.

“As a team at State, they got the experience they need and they won’t be as nervous when they qualify next year,” Rieck said through an Instagram message. “And as for us seniors. It was a good ride. I don’t think any of us finished how we wanted but lucky most of them have the next few years to grow and get better.”

The boys varsity team finished their dual season at 12-1 and earned the Greater Kansas City Suburban Conference White Division Championship posting a 6-0 conference record.