By CONOR NICHOLL
While SEK league Chanute captured the state championship in 4A-1A. Columbus and Erie combined to put three wrestlers in the Class 4-1A girls’ wrestling championship bouts last week. Columbus finished seventh in the classification with 61 points, just nine out of third.
In terms of finishes, this marked the best showing by southeast Kansas girls since KSHSAA sanctioned wrestling four years ago.
Grace Noel took second at 100 with a 26-12 mark. She had a 7-4 decision, a win by fall in 41 seconds, and a 9-2 decision. In the championship match, Noel lost by fall to Winfield’s Sheena Gocela, an undefeated wrestler.
At 120, Addison Saporito, an Ottawa University signing, completed an excellent career. She won three matches by fall. In a highlighted final, Saporito lost, 9-5, to Rossville’s Kendra Hurla. This marked Hurla’s third straight championship. Saporito completed a 41-2 season with both losses to state titles. She went 110-20 in her career and earned a trio of top-three state showings.
Plus, Columbus had Madelyn Garcia (24-11), Aubree Saporito (40-7), Brooklyn Lima (32-7), Graci Major (25-9) and Jailyn Rodriguez (29-6) at state. All but Rodriguez won at least a match.
At 110, Erie’s Breanna Ross finished 32-2 and was state runner-up. Ross won by fall, followed by 10-8 and 7-6 decisions. In the championship, Ross lost, 2-1, to Chapman’s Alyssa Calovich.
Girard had Hanna Bailey who took fourth at 125. Fort Scott had Kenna Miles take fourth at 110. Brylie Schaub took 6th at 170 while Kara Pope took fifth at 190.
In 5-6A, Pittsburg girls had four at state. Juliana Tice, Isys Galindo and Kya Galindo all won a match.
Last year, Columbus girls took third. Noel qualified for state and finished with a 15-16 record. Addison Saporito took third with a 28-2 mark at 109. Ross finished fourth at 115 with a 31-2 mark.
In 2021, Addison Saporito (29-7) took third at 109. She was 12-9 and a state qualifier at 109 as a freshman.
