Class 2 Spotlight: Bowles looks to stack up pins in pursuit of state title; List of local qualifiers, schedule

The parents of Francis Howell senior Anna Bowles encouraged her to join a sports team when she entered high school as a freshman. Her father Brian, a former state champion wrestler at Ritenour, suggested wrestling.

“I didn’t really play any sports growing up and (my parents) wanted me to choose a sport, so I wanted to pick something that I could pick up again later in life. Since girls wrestling was pretty new, I thought I might give it a try,” Anna said.

When the school year began, Francis Howell physical education teacher and wrestling coach Kevin Stroh saw Anna’s name on his attendance sheet.

I said, “Is your dad Brian Bowles?” Stroh recalled.

Anna affirmed.

“You’re going to wrestle,” Stroh said.  

That gentle nudge has become a full embrace of the sport for Bowles, who enters the 2026 MSHSAA State Wrestling Championships as a serious title contender in the 125-bracket of Class 2.

The Class 2 girls wrestling tournament begins Friday at 1 p.m. inside Mizzou Arena and concludes with state championship matches Saturday evening (Schedule below).

Bowles’ ascent to the top of the girls wrestling pyramid was speedy. After participating on the junior varsity team as a freshman, Bowles found herself running through a smoke machine and being announced via spotlight as she wrestled for a Class 2 state title as a sophomore.

“I trained year-round,” Bowles said. “As long as you’re trying to get better, working towards a goal and working smart, you can progress fast.”

Bowles lost that state championship match to Francis Howell Central superstar Kailey Benson. The following year, she lost in the quarterfinals to eventual state champion Addison Harkins of Nixa and placed fifth.

This season, Bowles is determined to be the best wrestler in the 125-bracket. At the prestigious Wonder Woman tournament in late December, Bowles outscored her opponents 42-2 in winning six matches and capturing the championship.

“I feel like I’ve progressed a lot. I’ve gotten a lot better neutral (position), which used to be my struggle. I’m staying active and hand fighting,” Bowles said.

When starting in the bottom position, Bowles uses her strength to escape. From the top, she has a knack of turning her opponents for pins. She has combined her excellent strength with a superior quickness that makes her extremely difficult to score points against.

“I’ve been doing a lot of strength and speed drills so I can get that extra little boost from my technique,” Bowles said.

Bowles placed fourth at the Kansas City Stampede, losing to Harkins in the 130-bracket. She probably would be ranked nationally if not for a tough draw at the Women of Ironman tournament. There, she lost to No. 5 ranked and eventual champion Carolline Hilton in the first round, won three matches on the back side, and then lost to No. 8 ranked Lacie Knick in the bubble match.

“I told the girls, ‘You’ve wrestled in three, big, national tournaments and you’re ready to roll. (The state tournament) should be a little easier because you’re not wrestling someone nationally-ranked every match,’” Stroh said.

Helping Bowles with her 125-bracket preparation is two-time state placer and Francis Howell teammate Kenadee McDowell, who wrestles at 120. The two often train together and provide unique challenges for the other to diagnose.

“They get to work out together and battle each other, and when you have two of the best in the state battling each other every day, that’s great. Not everybody gets that (opportunity),” Stroh said. “It’s helping them both get ready for the state tournament.”

Stroh marvels at Bowles’ leadership skills within the wrestling program and the way she carries herself off the mat.

“She’s a joy to coach. She’s a great team leader – leads by example and also rallies the team. She treats the first-year freshmen the same as everyone else,” Stroh said. “She’s doing everything right – extra workouts, she eats right, she’s a 4.5 (GPA) student, and when you do stuff right, it helps you mentally.”

And Bowles feels ready, both mentally and physically, to make one final roll towards a state title in a setting that feels like home.

“I like the crowd. It’s so much fun to be wrestling in big arenas. I’m excited and grateful for the opportunity,” Bowles said.

Class 2 Girls – local state qualifiers

Class 2 girls schedule

Class 2 girls brackets can be found here: https://www.flowrestling.org/nextgen/events/15112549/brackets