WENTZVILLE – Four years ago, Zoey Haney walked into Mizzou Arena as the lone state qualifier for the Troy girls wrestling team.
She will have plenty of company this year.
Haney set the tone for an entourage of eight state qualifiers and four district champions as Troy claimed the Class 2 District 2 Missouri State High School Activities Association girls wrestling team championship Saturday at North Point High School.
Troy, which won its first district title in program history, accumulated 198.5 team points to outpace defending state champion Francis Howell Central (179.5). Last season, the Spartans scored 101 more points than Troy in earning back-to-back district titles.
“(Francis Howell Central) is a great program led by a great staff. They’re always the ones we’re chasing, and to see us above them, it’s a lot to take in,” Troy coach Josef Lee Wolfrum said.
The top four placers in each of the 14 weight classes earned a trip to Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Missouri, for the MSHSAA state wrestling championships Feb. 26-Mar. 1.
Class 1 girls and Class 1-2 boys will take place Feb 26-27. Class 2 girls and Class 3-4 boys will take place Feb 28-March 1.
Haney, the defending state champion at 100, earned her fourth district title with a first period pin over Kate Cochran of Fort Zumwalt North. It set forth a wave of first period pins for Troy in the championship round.
“She sets the tone every weekend and in practice. She’s been a great leader for this team and for girls wrestling in Lincoln County,” Wolfrum said of Haney.
Freshman Addi Amos started her wrestling journey in her basement, trying to take down her older brother Austin, who wrestles on the Trojans boys’ team. On Saturday, she earned four first period pins – the final one in 44 seconds over Timberland junior Alyssa Dietker to claim the a district title.
“I get to have bragging rights over him,” Amos said.
Amos credited her training partners Zoey Haney (100), Madison Haney (110) and Haddley Dale (115) for helping her earn a district championship in her first season of organized wrestling.
“I love training with them, it’s a great opportunity,” said Amos, who will enter the state tournament with a 37-9 record. “I came into the season not knowing much at all, and to be able to win districts, it shows how much I’ve accomplished throughout the season. I did not expect this coming into the season, but I’m really proud of myself. It shows I can do anything if I put my mind to it.”
Dale also pinned her way to a district title, capturing the 115 championship with a first period pin over Ella Conley of Ft. Zumwalt South. Jeralyn Spear (235) became the fourth Trojan to pin her way to a district championship with a victory over Jefferson City senior Kyla Finney.
Madison Haney (110), Hayden Scorfina (135), Brooke Dollard (140) and Molly Marischen (155) also qualified for the state tournament for Troy.
“Going from having one state qualifier four years ago to having four champs, bringing eight to state and winning a district title, it’s kind of a surreal feeling,” Wolfrum said. “These girls believed in themselves and believed in this team. What they’ve been able to do in these four years is amazing.”
Francis Howell North senior Isabelle Apple (105) and Francis Howell sophomore Kenadee McDowell (120) both placed second at state last season and cruised to district championships.
Defending state champions Jena Gumahin (125) of Fort Zumwalt South and Kailey Benson (130) of Francis Howell Central captured district titles in competitive final matches.
Along with Benson, Francis Howell Central seniors Dana Thee Sanchez (155) and Makenzie Solis (170) claimed district championships for the Spartans.
Other district champions included Rock Bridge senior Jacinda Espinosa (135), Capital City sophomore Athena Anderson (140), Jefferson City senior Alexis Dunwiddie (145) and Battle junior Synana Lewis (190).
Photo gallery of girls wrestling at: https://benvessa.smugmug.com/Girls-Wrestling-2024/Girls-Wrestling-2023-24/Class-2-championships