photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Free State senior Daijah Preston puts Lawrence senior Avery Sutton in a headlock during the Sunflower League girls wrestling meet at Shawnee Mission West on Friday, February 7, 2025.

Lawrence and Free State’s girls wrestling teams competed in the Sunflower League meet on Friday. The Lions finished eighth with 64.5 points, and the Firebirds took ninth with 52.0 points.

Both schools had four wrestlers place in the top six of their weight classes, and each team had a girl in a championship match.

“That was the first time we’ve had anybody in the finals,” said Carl Springer, who coaches both teams. “To have two today was good. It was a little rough watching them struggle in the finals, but it’s okay because we’re on to regionals next week.”

The best LHS performance came from junior Goldy Stephens. She finished second in the 235-pound weight class with her only loss coming in the championship match in the final 30 seconds. The Firebirds were led by senior Daijah Preston, who took second in the 135-pound weight class. She started with a pin and a 7-5 decision win in her first two bouts to send her to the championship match. There, she held a 3-1 lead late before ultimately being pinned.

For other LHS top-six placers, freshman Anabella Ackerman placed third in the 110-pound weight class with a pin in the first round, a technical fall in the consolation semifinals and a pin in the third-place game.

Sophomore Yamirra Woods took fifth in the 130-pound weight class with two wins, both being pins. Springer said that he expects Woods to secure a spot at the state tournament next week. Sophomore Paige Fishburn placed sixth with two wins in the 120-pound weight class. Fishburn finished with six wins in the regular season before breaking out in the Sunflower League meet.

“(Fishburn) came out of nowhere, and she was just pumped,” Springer said. “She was wrestling really well today.”

Woods, Fishburn and Ackerman were a trio that exemplified the team’s overall growth over the course of the season. Regardless of their regular season records, they were some of the toughest wrestlers in their weight classes.

Free State junior Delaney Earl took fifth in the 125-pound weight class. She won two bouts, both with pins in the second period. In the 190-pound weight class, Madilyn Pierson finished fourth with two wins.

Lawrence sophomore Daisy Mosso-Ramos placed seventh in the 115-pound weight class. She lost her first two matches before getting her first win in the seventh-place game. Senior Reann Rodriguez placed seventh with a sudden-victory win in the consolation game. Springer said he considered having Rodriguez medically forfeit the seventh-place game, but Rodriguez waved him off. Freshman Juliana Hout finished seventh in the 155-pound weight class.

Free State sophomore Olivia Storey finished seventh in the 120-pound weight class with a win in her final bout of the tournament. Sophomore Kendahl Fell placed sixth in the 235-pound weight class.

Overall, it was a good day for a young program.

“Eight on the podium is pretty good for a team with only three seniors and three juniors,” Springer said.

Both schools will compete in regional tournaments on Saturday, Feb. 15. The Lions will be at Shawnee Mission Northwest, while the Firebirds will be at Wichita West.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence sophomore Yamirra Woods pushes Shawnee Mission Northwest senior Taylor Hurla during the Sunflower League girls wrestling meet at Shawnee Mission West on Friday, February 7, 2025.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Free State freshman Presley White pushes Gardner Edgerton junior Saoirse McCall down during the Sunflower League girls wrestling meet at Shawnee Mission West on Friday, February 7, 2025.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence senior Avery Sutton holds Free State senior Daijah Preston during their bout at the Sunflower League girls wrestling meet on Friday, January 7, 2025 at Shawnee Mission West.