The Lebanon girls wrestling team finished off the team state podium for just the second time in program history last season placing 11th overall.
This season, the roster features 20 wrestlers and one returning state placer in senior Sophiea Quinn. Quinn finished third at 235 pounds with a 43-4 overall record as a junior. She returns at the same weight class this season.
Carli Alford (sophomore – 190 pounds) , Elli Rothman (sophomore – 120), Josey Starmer (sophomore – 115), Kaylee Herd (junior – 125-130), Lacey Malonson (senior – 100), Alyssa Dawson (senior – 130-135), Jaylyn Malonson (senior – 135) and Andrea Childress (senior – 155) all also return.
“This year our team captains are Sophiea Quinn, Andrea Childress, and Lacey Malonson,” Lebanon girls head coach Matthew Neely said. “These girls have put in a lot of time, dedication, and hard work. They exhibit all the characteristics of a Ladyjacket Wrestler and will be great leaders for us this season.”
In addition to Quinn, Childress and Herd bring back state experience.
“We have Sophiea Quinn, a returning third-place state medalist, who will definitely bring that competitive edge we love to see,” Neely said. “Andrea Childress and Kaylee Herd are returning state qualifiers from previous seasons. Our senior class this year has many solid wrestlers who we expect to achieve great things this year, many of them being in their fourth year as a varsity starter.”
Freshmen Ilyana Martinez, Natalee Joiner and Addy Lowden will all look to make immediate varsity impacts. Both Martinez and Joiner were state finalists at the youth level last season.
The Lebanon girls opened the season on Nov. 22 at the Neosho Tournament. They wrestle next at the Tussle for the Tiara in North Kansas City on Dec. 6.
“We are always looking at the growth of our wrestlers,” Neely said. “Being better than we were yesterday, last week, last year, etc. That growth mindset is what we push our wrestlers to have. Always competing to the best of their ability, and giving 110% everyday. Individually, many of the girls obviously have that goal in mind of a state medal and state championship.”
