CHAMP-CHAMP: Ray and Green capture district wrestling titles as four Lady Bulldogs qualify for state

ST. CLAIR, Mo. — Sikeston senior Alayna Ray and junior Jasmynne Green made history at the MSHSAA Class 1, District 1 Meet on Saturday, Feb. 11, when the duo captured the first district titles in the history of the Lady Bulldogs’ wrestling program.

Ray won gold at the 235-pound weight class while Green was victorious at 105, helping Sikeston earn a fourth-place team finish. The Lady Bulldogs’ Ellie Douglas and Liliana Knoeppel also qualified for the state meet. Douglass earned silver at 100 and Knoeppel claimed fourth at 140.

“Our girls have taken some lumps but they’ve had an outstanding season,” said Sikeston coach Blake Angle. “We knew that everything we’ve been through this year was preparing us for this. That’s why we wrestled a tough schedule; To be ready for the district and the postseason.

Sikeston's Alayna Ray (235) pins Allison Dye of Harrisonville in her first match Friday in Columbia, Missouri.Ryan Mitchell photo

“I would like to have a few more girls get to the state tournament,” he continued. “But a lot of these girls are underclassmen with more for growth and they’ll be back even stronger next season.”

Although it was Sikeston’s first district championship, it was Ray's second time winning a title. She claimed her first while wrestling for Park Hills Central during her sophomore season.

“This [championship] was a lot more meaningful because it is my senior year,” Ray said. “It was one of our top goals.”

Jasmynne Green and Ellie Douglass�compete�during Sikeston's Red and Black Meet on Friday, Nov. 18.�Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat

Ray won all three of her matches by pinfall. She pinned Sullivan’s Reya Bristol in three minutes and two seconds in the championship match.

“We were just hand-fighting in the first period,” Ray said. “I couldn’t see an opening. I was trying to stay calm and I went to for my fireman [carry]. I let go of that leg and I just pulled that arm down and was able to turn her.”

Ray defeated Ste. Genevieve’s Liliana Hastings in 1:54 in the semifinals and Lift for Life Academy’s Armijah Frazier in 0:58 in the quarterfinals.

“She settled down and stuck to the gameplan, and eventually got the takedown and the pin,” Angle said. “She’s well known around the wrestling mats because she has a vibrant personality. She’s very friendly and people love to see her wrestle.”

It was Ray’s third time qualifying for the state meet.

“It’s a big accomplishment,” she said. “What makes it even more special is the teammates I’ll have joining me at the state meet. We all build each other up pretty well.”

It took Green just 46 seconds to pin Westminster Christian Academy’s Kate Van Zee in her championship match.

“[Green] put her opponent straight to her back after taking her down,” Angle said.

Green defeated St. Clair’s Janessa Avila, the top seed, by a 9-6 decision in the semifinals.

“It was a highly contested match that could have gone either way,” Angle said. “She went up there as the underdog, put it all on the line and came out on top. It was very impressive.”

Green beat Potosi’s Alexis Massey by pin in 3:14 in the quarterfinals.

“The experience was incredible,” Green said. “Honestly, I didn’t expect to be the champion. It was all a surprise and it felt really good. It makes us feel like we accomplish something special here at Sikeston. Now, I just have to keep the same confidence and keep pushing.”

Douglass pinned Brentwood’s Kellie McGee in 22 seconds to pin her semifinal match before dropping the championship match to Festus’ Mya Hairston.

“[Hairston} beat [Douglass[ earlier in the year and this time around it was much improved match,” Angle said. “[Douglass] can compete and give anyone at the state meet a run for their money.”

Knoeppel lost her quarterfinal matchup against Union’s Gracie Straatman before rebounding with a pin over St. James’ Elisa Bierman and a sudden victory over St. Clair’s Peyton Dunn.

Knoeppel fell to Hillsboro’s Katie Hendrix in the fourth-place match.

“She been committed these past few years,” Angle said. “It’s nice to be able to see her end her career at the state tournament with a chance to get on that podium.

“These girls show up every day and are willing to put it all on the line,” Angle continued. “It was nice some new girls make their names known and leave their mark on Sikeston wrestling.”

Sikeston will have a sendoff ceremony for all of its state qualifiers at the Field House on Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 9 a.m..

“It's important for these girls to go out on a good note,” Angle said. “I don’t think they have any plans to wrestle after this, so it’s about having fun and enjoying the sport, but there’s no better way to have a better time than by getting it done in the postseason.”

The MSHSAA Class 1 Girls’ State Meet will take place at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Missouri on Feb. 22 and 23.