Class 1 Girls: Fort Zumwalt South’s Gumahin, St. Charles West’s Johnson use fuel from disappointment to capture state titles

COLUMBIA, MO – Fort Zumwalt South senior Jena Gumahin and St. Charles West senior Lexington Johnson took similar paths to arrive at their state championship moment Thursday.

Both were inspired by standing on a lower step of the podium the previous season, both thoroughly dominated their respective bracket and both etched their names into their school’s record books.  

Gumahin (120) became the first two-time state champion for Fort Zumwalt South and Johnson (170) became the first girls champion in St. Charles West history at the 2026 MSHSAA Wrestling State Championships at Mizzou Arena in Columbia.

Gumahin (50-1), who pinned all four of her opponents in the first period, spent less than four minutes on the mat in total, including pins in 17 and 18 seconds, to cruise to the 120-pound state title.  

“I haven’t really processed it yet,” Gumahin said of the final act of her stellar career.

After placing fifth as a freshman, Gumahin shocked the wrestling community by winning the 125-state title as a sophomore with a pin of nationally ranked Angelina Vargas of Park Hill in the championship match.

She reached the 125-title match again as a junior but suffered a concussion during it and lost a major decision to Addison Harkins of Nixa. Gumahin went through a lengthy healing process after that injury and has only one clear memory from that match.

“I just remember losing,” she said.

That loss lit a fire in Gumahin to train even harder in hopes of reaching the top step of the podium as a senior. She voraciously studied film and insisted on facing the best wrestlers in the Bulldogs’ practice room, which included members of the boys team and her coaches.

“This year I was thinking, ‘It’s comeback season.’ I wasn’t looking to get my get-back, but I just wanted to win again. I was on a mission,” she said.

Her only loss this season occurred at the prestigious Wonder Woman tournament to Kaneland (IL) junior Angelina Gochis, who is ranked No. 15 in the nation. Gumahin responded by winning eight matches in a row by a combined score of 86-7 to place third.

“(Gochis) was really good. I needed that tough competition (at Wonder Woman) because I was getting complacent,” she said.

Gumahin considers herself “a student of the sport.” She is undecided about wrestling in college, but she wants to stay involved in some capacity while studying to be a pediatrician.

In the meantime, she can bask in the knowledge of being the Bulldogs first four-time state placer and inaugural two-time state champion.

“I love the ride that I had,” Gumahin said. “I’m going to miss it.”

Johnson becomes first St. Charles West girls champion

Lexington Johnson stood on a lower step of the championship podium for three consecutive years before reaching the top step in impressive fashion on Thursday.

The St. Charles West senior outscored her opponents 35-6 and did not surrender a takedown in capturing the title at 170. In the championship match, she seized complete control from start to finish in defeating Ste. Genevieve sophomore Anna Fischer 12-2.

“I’ve been pushing myself past the limits, just doing all I can because I knew I wanted to be number one,” Johnson said. “I just put my mind to it and put my faith in God, and that’s all I needed.”

As time ticked off the clock in the third period, St. Charles West coaches James Peters and Nigel Kinworthy started tapping their feet uncontrollably in anticipation.

“We were so excited,” Peters said. “We were nervous at first, but when she was doing what she does, that nervousness became excitement. So excited for her to get to what she’s been working so hard for.”  

Assistant coach Casey Bartee was the last St. Charles West wrestling champion, winning a 160-pound boys title in 2013.  

Johnson (58-2) placed sixth as a freshman while at Hazelwood West and fifth as a sophomore while at McCluer North. Both times, she lost close decisions in the quarterfinal round to eventual champion Mariyah Brumley of Lebanon.  

As a junior at St. Charles West, she reached the third step of the podium. Her only loss was a tight, 5-2 setback in the semifinal to eventual champion Carli Vargas of Kearney.  

“This season it really clicked,” Johnson said. “I don’t think I was all-in before. When you put your mind to something and work hard for it, you sow what you reap and you reap what you sow. I knew what I wanted and I wasn’t leaving this tournament without it.”

As the clock hit zero, Johnson glanced at the scoreboard, smiled at her coaches and then looked to the sky.  

“It’s unbelievable,” she said. “In that moment, I thought, ‘Wow, all the work I’ve put in – I’ve finally seen it pay off.”

Four area wrestlers place second, including two from Festus

Festus seniors Addison Cupp (105) and Dani Gullet (135) reached championship matches after both placed third the previous year.

Cupp (37-5) secured a thrilling third period pin in a semifinal battle with Smithville sophomore Rhemy Hutchcraft before losing to Kearney freshman Zolah Williams in the 105-title match. Gullet (39-6) was overcome with emotion after a 13-3 semifinal victory over McDonald County junior Anjelika Alarcon before losing to Harrisonville junior Rylie Ingrassia for the 135-title.

It was the fourth consecutive year the Tigers have had at least one girls wrestler reach the finals.

Principia sophomore Alana Henry reached the 125-title match with a 6-1 semifinal win over Warrenton sophomore Melanie Guerrero before losing to Fulton sophomore Mackinzie Brewer in the title match.

Henry (44-7) missed her entire freshman season after suffering a broken collar bone during her first tournament, but she never wavered in wanting to return to the mat.

“I was so ready to wrestle again. I wasn’t going to let that (injury) take me down,” Henry said. “To place second in technically my first year wrestling, I’m excited to put in the work for next year.”

Summit senior Kamauri Fowler took a 41-0 record into her 235 title match against Gallatin junior Miah Parker, but a late escape by Parker gave her a 4-3 victory and spoiled Fowler’s attempt at an undefeated, state championship season.

Other state placers in Class 1

For a photo gallery of the Girls Class 1 State Tournament, visit: https://benvessa.smugmug.com/Girls-Wrestling-2024/Girls-Wrestling-2026/Class-1-State-Semifinals-