It will be a historic day for Makayla Wallenmeyer.
Wallenmeyer, a senior, will be Jefferson City's first girls wrestler to participate in a state tournament as the event begins this morning at Cable Dahmer Arena in Independence.
"We're so proud of her," Jefferson City coach Phil Cagle said.
Wallenmeyer (26-7) will take on Waynesville freshman Josie Moody (13-12) in the opening round at 112 pounds.
With a win, Wallenmeyer would take on Cassville sophomore Annie Moore (33-1) in the quarterfinals. Moore, a state qualifier at 103 last year, received a bye into the quarterfinals in the 12-wrestler bracket. The top three wrestlers in their respective weight classes in each of the four district tournaments advanced to state.
"We just want Makayla to go up there and do her best," Cagle said. "It will be a fun experience for her."
Wallenmeyer advanced to the state tournament by taking third in Class 1 Sectional 2 action last month in Versailles.
The Lady Jays totaled 100 points to top the 19-team field to win the Class 1 District 4 championship this season.
"Our girls are competitors," Cagle said. "As they gain more experience and we get more girls involved, this will be a very strong program here at Jefferson City.
"We're going to continue to work hard and get more of the girls to the state tournament in the future."
Action is scheduled to begin in the double-elimination tournament at 9:30 a.m. today. Action will continue throughout the day, with the state title matches slated to begin at 6:30 p.m.
Due to COVID-19 protocols, the Missouri State High School Activities Association has decided to make the state tournaments in all classes one-day events. There is currently only one classification for schools in girls wrestling.
III
The Tipton Lady Cardinals will have three wrestlers competing today in the state tournament.
At 107 pounds, junior Christina Loganbill (25-6) will face Blue Springs South sophomore Gabby Hampton (20-8). The winner advances to take on Lafayette junior Faith Cole (33-0) in the quarterfinals.
At 174, sophomore Lily Burns (30-3) will meet Raymore-Peculiar sophomore Cayley Maynard (25-6) in her first match. The winner will then face DeSoto senior Jayce Foeller (38-0) in the quarterfinals.
At 235, senior Kyla Cornine (30-1) has a bye into the quarterfinals. Cornine will face the winner of Eureka senior Mari Lopez (28-5) and Nevada junior Claire Pritchett (31-2) in the quarterfinal round.
Cornine took fourth at 235 in last year's state tournament, while Burns was a qualifier at 187. The Lady Cardinals tied for 32nd as a team last year at state with 19 points.
As a team, Tipton finished third in the District 4 Tournament last month with 78 points.
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The Eldon Lady Mustangs have two state qualifiers.
At 137, sophomore Anmarie Dillon (38-9) will square off against Lafayette junior Seraphina Blackmon (29-5) in her opening match. With a win, Dillon would advance to meet Holden sophomore Tasia Lee (24-3) in the quarterfinals.
At 151, sophomore Olivia Chapman (37-2) will start her tournament with a match against Liberty North senior Emma Williams (31-13). Williams was a state qualifier at 152 last year. The winner will take on Webster Groves senior Hannah Jansen (22-0) in the quarterfinals. Jansen was the state champion at 152 last season.
Chapman finished sixth in the state tournament last year at 135 as the Lady Mustangs were 49th as a team with eight points.
Eldon was fourth in the District 4 Tournament last month with 66 points.