Sikeston's Alayna Ray advances to state championship match

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Sikeston’s Alayna Ray (36-4) will wrestle for a MSHSAA Class 1 State Championship at the 235-pound weight class on Thursday, Feb. 23 at approximately 5 p.m.

Ray won by a 30-second fall over Destynee Small of Kirksville (16-15) and won by fall over Selena Snell of University Academy Charter (21-10) in the quarterfinal round. She defeated Versailles’ Sarah Huffman (35-9) in the semifinals with a pin at two minutes and 44 seconds to advance to the championship.

The Lady Bulldogs’ Jasmynne Green (22-15) will compete in the fifth-place match at 105 against Haley Brooks (43-5) of Holden.

Green won by fall over Payton Coe of Odessa (24-16) in the first round and defeated Mary Jastal of Monett (38-9) by a 2-1 decision in the quarterfinals. Green lost to Delanie Smith (45-3) of Mid-Buchanan in the semifinal round and to Kearney’s Riley Walker (41-10) in the consolation semifinals.

Sikeston’s Ellie Douglass (18-9) was eliminated at 100 after losing to Center’s Asha Pearson (30-9) in the opening round and Maddie Dauber (35-5) of Marcelin in the consolation quarterfinals. Douglass did earn a 7-4 decision over Xaveria Dawn (27-12) of Nevada in the first round of the consolation tournament.

Liliana Knoeppel was the team’s final participant at the state meet. She competed at 140 and lost to Amitria McNack (48-1) of Clinton and Avery Clark (35-10) of Trenton.