Class 2 Girls: Richardson uses comeback mentality to secure first Eureka state title; Troy earns third-place team trophy

COLUMBIA, MO – Mira Richardson had done everything right.

She qualified for the state tournament as a sophomore, improved her wrestling skills dramatically, and prepared to become a state medalist as a junior.

Then … heartbreak.

Sitting at 99 wins for her career, Richardson lost her bubble match on a late takedown and went home empty-handed.  

“It was devastating,” Richardson recalled. “It was a really big heartbreak for me, so I used that as fire during the year.”

Richardson trailed on the scoreboard in both her semifinal and championship matches but would not be denied, as she captured the 145-pound state title at the Class 2 MSHSAA Girls Wrestling Championships Saturday at Mizzou Arena.

In a back-and-forth semifinal, Richardson (48-2) fell behind last year’s state runner-up Athena Anderson of Capital City 7-1 after the first period. The Eureka senior chose the top position to start the second period.

“I know that I’m good on top, so I just had to get my cradle,” Richardson said.

Richardson earned a nearfall early in the second, but a reversal and nearfall by Anderson gave the Capital City junior a 12-7 lead in the final minute of the second period. Then, Richardson recalled the awful feeling of losing.

“I kept remembering last year. I hated that. I had to come back,” Richardson said.

She secured a reversal with 43 seconds remaining and went for the pin.

“I got the reversal, and I think I’m good on top, so I thought, ‘I can do this,’ and it worked out,” Richardson said.

Her pin of Anderson, who finished third with a 46-5 record, set up a showdown with Nixa sophomore Kamryn Bourbon, who entered the match with a 46-3 record.

Richardson was confident she had done everything necessary to become a state champion.

“I would be working out and think, ‘Ok, that’s my last rep,’ and then I’d say, ‘No, I didn’t place last year, I’m doing one more,’ Richardson said. “I think that (heartbreak) was a blessing in disguise.”

Again, Richardson surrendered the first takedown. A commonly recited statistic in wrestling is that the one who gets the first takedown wins 78 percent of matches.

“That actually did go through my head when she got the first takedown on me, but I’m confident in myself because of my ability on top,” Richardson said.

Richardson quickly earned a reversal and used her ability on top to end the match within the first minute. When she heard the thud of the referee’s hand, she did not immediately grasp what happened.

“I’m so in shock. I didn’t really cry afterwards. I’m still like, ‘What? I did what?’ It’s going to take a day probably to realize what just happened,” Richardson said.

Richardson, who defeated the wrestlers who placed second, third and fourth, became the first Eureka girls wrestler to win a state title. She finished her career with 147 wins while providing a face for future Wildcats to follow.  

“I get my picture on the wall in the wrestling room,” she said. “It doesn’t even feel real.”

Troy places third as a team, puts five medalists on podium

Troy continued its rise to statewide prominence with a third-place team finish. The Trojans, which placed fourth last season, accrued 96 team points, one better than fourth-place Liberty.

Individually, Addilyn Amos (105) placed second, Isabella Cullen (100) and Jeralyn Spear (235) placed third, Molly Marischen (155) placed fifth and Sierra Bromwich (145) placed sixth.

Amos, Cullen and Spear lost one match apiece during the tournament, all to multiple-time state champions from Liberty.

The Trojans needed every point to outscore Liberty for third place. Amos lost by decision to three-time state champion Sandy Breeden in the 105-title match. Spear secured a pin to win her third-place match, and Cullen garnered a takedown with three seconds remaining to earn a 13-4 major decision and an extra point in the team standings during her third-place match.

“A team effort for sure,” Troy coach Josef Lee Wolfrum said. “That buy-in we have for each other really shows. Any variation and we’re fourth again. It’s a great thing to have these girls come together, dig deep, and be behind their faith.”

Of the nine wrestlers Troy brought to Columbia, eight return next season, including all five medalists.

“We’re growing something special. Our sights will be much higher next year,” Wolfrum said.

For a photo gallery of the 2026 Girls Wrestling Championships, including third and fifth place matches, visit this link: https://benvessa.smugmug.com/Girls-Wrestling-2024/Girls-Wrestling-2026

Other area state placers: