Versailles' May advances to title match in girls state wrestling tournament

COLUMBIA - Versailles junior Alana May is one win from capturing a state title in the Class 1 girls wrestling state championships at Mizzou Arena.

May secured a spot in the championship Friday with a win by fall in 1:24 against Smithville's Malia Pak in the semifinals at 235 pounds.

May (18-1), who entered the state tournament ranked No. 3, will face second-ranked Lexie Cole (28-2) of Kearney for the title.

Championship matches will begin at 4 p.m. today, but 235 will be the last of the 12 classes to wrestle.

School of the Osage junior Abbey Cordia needs one win today to receive a state medal.

Cordia began the day with a 6-3 win against Fort Zumwalt West's Jessie Deane in the second-round wrestlebacks at 131. Later in the evening, she locked up a state medal with a 6-2 win against Fort Zumwalt North's Zoe Santa Cruz in the third-round wrestlebacks.

Cordia (19-2), the top-ranked wrestler in the state in her weight class, will face Marceline's Baylee Jobson (10-2) in the fourth-round wrestlebacks, which begin at 8:30 a.m. today. The winner of that match is guaranteed a state medal, as only the top four finishers in girls wrestling receive medals at state.

The remaining three area state wrestlers posted 1-1 finishes Friday.

Tipton sophomore Jadelyn Woolery won by fall in 4:53 against St. Joseph Lafayette's Shar Whitten in the second-round wrestlebacks at 121, but she dropped a 10-2 decision to Seckman's Corrine McClure in the next round. Woolery finished the season with a 20-8 record.

Osage sophomore Alana Douglas won a 10-4 decision against Rock Bridge's Anna Stephens at 126, then lost 3-1 to Francis Howell's Emily Eberwine to end the season with a 15-4 record.

Versailles junior Bethany Howard won by fall in 1:19 against Poplar Bluff's Paige Earls at 136. Her season ended with a loss by fall in 4:28 to Nevada's Lotus Van Dyk, giving her a season record of 18-8.