Postseason has arrived for girls wrestling

It’s time for local ladies wrestlers to make their case for a trip to state. 

Both Poplar Bluff and Dexter are sending a small contingent of girls grapplers to their individual district meets beginning today and both squads are heavy with optimism. 

Poplar Bluff heads to Northwest High School in Cedar Hill with the start of the Class 2 District 1 tournament set to begin at 5 p.m. Friday, then start again at 10 a.m. Saturday. 

The Lady Mules head to Northwest with some serious weaponry behind sophomores Zoe Freeman (29-3), Kayleigh Dazey (31-7) and Kylee Hayman (15-10), and senior Madison Hayman (20-12).  

“We expect to perform at a high level in the weight classes we have girls, I would say all four girls have a great path to the state tournament if they show up and execute,” Poplar Bluff head coach Kelton Thompson said.  

The top four girls from every weight class at the district event will advance to the state tournament which will be a 16-person bracket.  

The state tournament will take place on Feb. 24-25 at the Mizzou Arena in Columbia. 

As for Dexter, the Lady Bearcats will be represented at the Class 1 District 1 meet in St. Clair — beginning Friday at 5 p.m. and resuming at 9 a.m. Saturday — by Kennedy McCormick (14-7), Emily Barrett (5-8), and Kaylie Cook (4-8). 

“Emily and Kaylie are fairly new to wrestling,” Dexter head coach Cody Boyer said. “They started late in the season and didn’t get as many matches as Kennedy. They are still learning how to compete. Hopefully, they will come back next year with some knowledge after this year.  

“Kennedy has been a bright spot on the team this year. She has really improved. Kennedy has medaled second at the Tiger Classic and SEMO Conference. I am hoping to get her through to state this year and continue to excel next year.” 

The Class 1 state tournament machinations are different this year as it will now be a two-day event with Dexter’s potential state qualifiers will wrestle on February 22-23.