Kearney, Mo., March 3, 2025: The Kearney High School Boys Wrestling team finished in sixth place and two Bulldogs earned individual championships at the MSHSAA Class 3 state tournament on Saturday, March 1.

Ryder Shelton garnered gold at 132 lbs. He was joined at the top spot by his teammate Carter Temple at 190 lbs. Brayden Robinson took fourth at 106 lbs, and Blain Turpin finished in sixth place at 144 lbs.

Individual Highlights (with comments by Head Coach Jacob Hill):

Brayden Robinson – 4th Place (106)

This was sophomore Brayden Robinson’s first trip to the State Tournament and he made the most of it by finding his way on the podium. He wrestled great both days beating some tough competition to finish in 4th place.

Ryder Shelton – State Champion (132)

The senior Bulldog went out on top. Ryder finishes his career as a four-time state finalist and three-time state champion with over 150 career varsity wins. He won all of his matches by bonus points including his finals match with a major decision leaving no doubt he is one of Missouri’s best this year.

Blaine Turpin – 6th Place (144)

This was senior Blaine Turpin’s third trip to the state tournament and first time coming home with hardware. Blaine made the semifinals, which guaranteed his spot on the podium. Blaine’s last win of the tournament was career win 100.

Carter Temple – State Champion (190)

This was sophomore Carter Temple’s second trip to state and the second year in a row he has come home State Champion. Carter showed some serious heart and gutted out a state finals win in overtime.

Other Team Results:

• 113 Oliver Lee 1-2
• 120 Phoenix Shelton 1-2
• 126 Landon Westfall 2-2
• 157 Kale Davis 1-2
• 175 Eli Helberg 0-2

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Kearney, Mo., March 3, 2025: The Kearney High School Girls Wrestling team earned a third-straight state championship on Thursday, February 27.

The Bulldogs captured the title during the 2025 MSHSSA wrestling tournament at Mizzou Arena in Columbia. The tournament began Wednesday, and the team built a nine-point lead by the end of day one, which they maintained for most of Thursday. Though there was a brief moment of uncertainty, a late surge of clutch bonus-point wins in the medal rounds secured the championship over second-place Brookfield by an eight-point margin.

“This title was a total team effort,” Head Coach Nick Ward said. “Someone stepped up whenever we needed a big performance, just as they have in all three championship runs.”

All eight KHS qualifiers won matches, contributing critical points in another intense team tournament. Bailey Martin took 2nd at 115 lbs, Riley Walker took 3rd at 120, Myla Woolridge took 5th at 105, and Carli Vargas took individual gold at 190.

Individual Highlights:

Myla Woolridge – The freshman continued her successful debut season, going 4-2 and securing a fifth-place finish with a pin. Myla consistently delivered in high-pressure moments throughout the season and came up big again when it mattered most.

Ella Herndon – The senior went 2-2 and fell just one win short of a podium finish. A key contributor in the past two state title runs, Ella’s leadership and impact on this team will be greatly missed.

Bailey Martin – The senior made history, pinning her way to the championship finals for a rematch with Delanie Smith of Mid-Buchanan. Though she finished as the runner-up, Bailey became Kearney’s first four-time female state medalist, finishing 5th, 3rd, 1st, and 2nd. Her pin in the semifinal round also marked her 150th career victory. Bailey has been a cornerstone of all three title runs.

Riley Walker – After a tough quarterfinal loss to the eventual state champion, Riley put together a dominant run through the consolation bracket, pinning everyone in her path to secure third place. Along the way, she avenged losses from districts, including pinning a previous opponent who had beaten her by 15 points in January. Now a three-time state medalist, Riley is a major contributor to this program’s success.

Aida Appenfeller – The sophomore made her state tournament debut after an impressive district performance. Though she finished 1-2, her key bonus-point victory in the consolation bracket played a crucial role in the team race.

Bella Wenzel – On her first trip to the state tournament, Bella faced a tough draw, meeting a state finalist in the opening round. After a hard-fought loss, she bounced back in the consolation bracket to secure a vital team victory, finishing 1-2 as a freshman.

Carli Vargas – The sophomore and returning state finalist dominated her bracket, pinning all but one opponent on her way to the state championship. She ended the season with just one loss to the No. 2-ranked wrestler in the country from Oklahoma. A two-time state finalist and now state champion, Carli continues to be a driving force behind this championship run.

Ella Chavez – As a first-year wrestler, freshman Ella Chavez could have been satisfied with simply qualifying for the state tournament. Instead, she stepped up when it mattered most, avenging a prior loss to a ranked opponent and securing a critical pin in the consolation rounds. She finished 1-2 but made her presence felt in the team standings.

“This championship is a testament to Kearney Girls Wrestling’s culture,” Coach Ward said. “From seasoned veterans to first-time qualifiers, every wrestler played a crucial role in bringing home the title. Thanks to our coaching staff, families, and fans for their unwavering support. The three-peat is complete, but the standard remains the same. The future is bright, and we can’t wait to see what’s next!”

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All 13 Bulldogs made it to at least the “blood round,” contributing to the team’s outstanding finish overall, according to Head Coach Jake Hill. Ryder Shelton, Blaine Turpin and Carter Temple all earned individual championships in their weight classes.

“Our boys wrestled great both days and I’m so proud of their effort,” Coach Hill said. “These guys really exemplify the Bulldog spirit with their grit and skills. We’re looking forward to state.”

State Qualifiers:

• 106 Brayden Robinson 2nd
• 113 Oliver Lee 4th
• 120 Phoenix Shelton 4th
• 126 Landon Westfall 2nd
• 132 Ryder Shelton Champion
• 144 Blaine Turpin Champion
• 157 Kale Davis 4th
• 175 Eli Helberg 3rd
• 190 Carter Temple Champion

The KHS boys wrap up their season by traveling to Columbia this Friday and Saturday, Feb. 28-March 1, to compete in the Class 3 State Tournament at Mizzou Arena.

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The Bulldogs wrestled their absolute best tournament of the season, winning the program’s first District Championship by a 23.5-point margin over 2nd-place Odessa.

The top four wrestlers from each weight class advance to the state tournament on Feb. 26-27 at Mizzou Arena in Columbia. The KHS girls did not disappoint. A program-record eight Bulldogs punched their ticket to state.

The Bulldog excellence extended off the wrestling mats, according to Head Coach Nick Ward. He was grateful for the community effort to successfully host the tournament.

“Thank you to everyone who came out and cheered us on this weekend,” Coach Ward said. “A big thanks to the Kearney School District Activities Department and all the volunteers, custodians, and behind-the-scenes folks who helped us pull off hosting a large, first-class wrestling event. We received tons of praise for how well everything operated.”

Individual Highlights:

Myla Woolridge – The freshman sensation entered the tournament as the second seed and pinned her way to the championship round. She lost a close decision to a returning state medalist to finish in second place. This will be Myla’s first trip to Columbia, but the freshman is no stranger to winning big matches. 

Ella Herndon – The team’s senior leader cruised to the championship round and lost a hard-fought battle to a returning three-time state qualifier to finish with the silver medal. This is Ella’s second trip to the state tournament in only her third year of wrestling.  

Bailey Martin – The senior returning three-time state medalist and defending state champion cruised to the finals, where she found a familiar foe in Mid-Buchanan’s Delanie Smith. Delanie is also a multiple-time medalist with a state title of her own. Bailey has lost to Smith the last two times they have met. On this day, the Kearney senior would not be denied. She took an early lead and kept piling up points. She fought off her back for 1:34 in the third period to win 12-10. This is Bailey’s third district championship and fourth trip to the state tournament. 

Riley Walker – The two-time state medalist was rolling towards the finals. She led by 14 in the semi-final and got caught and pinned in the third period. She battled back through the consolation bracket in true champion fashion, pinning her way to 3rd place and earning her third trip to Columbia.

Aida Appenfeller – In one of the most exciting moments of an action-packed “blood round” that she had to win in order to advance in the tournament, Aida pinned the second seed, returning state qualifier Danica Ballard of Smithville, avenging a prior loss and punching through to state. Aida didn’t stop there; she pinned the fourth seed in the 3rd-place match to close out a fantastic tournament. The sophomore will be making her first trip to Mizzou Arena.

Bella Wenzel – Bella is another freshman talent with homerun potential.  Bella went 3-2 and defeated a returning state qualifier in a gutsy quarterfinal round that set her up to be in a great place to advance on Saturday, where she got it done.  Bella finished 4th place and will make her first trip to the state tournament. 

Carli Vargas – The #14 nationally ranked, #1 state-ranked sophomore made short work of the field, pinning her way through the tournament in dominant fashion. Carli pinned all four opponents in a combined time of 1:40. 

Ella Chavez -The first-year freshman has steadily improved, from starting 0-5 at a rookie tournament in early December to qualifying for the state tournament in mid-February. This is nothing short of incredible. Ella pulled off some recent big victories that helped her secure the fourth seed, and she carried that momentum into the district tournament to finish in 4th place.

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The Bulldog girls secured their third consecutive conference title after defeating the Smithville High School Warriors on the road 48-36 on Wednesday, Feb. 5. Beating their Highway 92 rivals made winning the conference title even sweeter, according to Head Coach Nick Ward.

“This dual is always a back-and-forth scrap where every single point matters,” Coach Ward said. “I’m so proud of the work our girls put in this season and am looking forward to what they accomplish in the postseason.”

The following Bulldogs earned wins against Smithville:

• Myla Woolridge 
• Ella Herndon
• Bailey Martin 
• Riley Walker 
• Bella Wenzel
• Emma Schaetz
• Carli Vargas 
• Ella Chavez 

The KHS girls finish this regular season with a 5-0 record in the Greater Kansas City Suburban Blue Conference. They host the Class 1-District 4 tournament on Feb. 14-15.

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Kearney, Mo., March 15, 2024: Bailey Martin isn’t worried about what comes next.

Ms. Martin is a junior at Kearney High School and a member of a Bulldog Girls Wrestling team that is steadily building a formidable legacy of success. The girls earned a repeat state championship last month. Martin tore through the competition, pinning every opponent at the district and state tournaments on her way to the Missouri Class 1 title at 105 pounds.

This week, Martin learned that she was named the Missouri Class 1-District 4 Wrestler of the Year by the Missouri Wrestling Coaches Association. She was also invited to compete in the Rogue Border War, an all-star dual between the best girls in Missouri and Kansas on April 19 at Avila University.

During an interview this week in a sunlit meeting room at the high school’s central office, Martin just shook her head when she tried to explain her success. She credits the expertise and guidance of her coaches and the innumerable hours of learning skills and physical training to reach her peak.

Ultimately, Martin tries to let that all go when she’s facing an opponent on the mat.

“I don’t really think about what my opponent might do next,” she said. “That just sets you up to make the wrong move and get pulled into a cradle. I train a lot and trust my instincts. Coach Ward will say something after a match about how I made a good move and I’m like, ‘Wait, I did that?’ I don’t even know.”

Martin has put in the proverbial 10,000 hours to reach that level of Zen-like focus. She started wrestling in first grade and eventually realized it was the activity that she truly loved.

“I mean, I did dancing and other sports, and none of it stuck,” she said, chuckling. “Wrestling was the one thing I really wanted to do.”

KHS Girls Wrestling Head Coach Nick Ward – who earned the state coach of the year recognition last year – described Martin as humble, focused and the “centerpiece of our program.” She exemplifies what can happen when a young person finds their passion and has the support to grow.

“I’ve witnessed the transformation of a girl with a ton of determination and guts who didn’t think she was worthy to becoming a highly decorated dominant force in Missouri Girls Wrestling,” Coach Ward said. “I won’t heap too much praise on her as she does not enjoy the spotlight or extra attention. What Bailey has accomplished in her three years at KHS is remarkable. Her state tournament run was one of the most dominant complete performances I have witnessed in my coaching career.”

Even though wrestling is considered an individual sport, it takes real teamwork to build the kind of record and reputation that KHS has accrued, according to Martin. She spoke highly of the winning attitude every teammate brought to the district and state tournaments.

“We need every girl to wrestle at their very best every time to win a state title,” Martin said. “Even keeping yourself from being pinned can make that one-point difference that we needed this year. That attitude becomes infectious and we all start working harder.”

Martin is looking forward to taking a leadership role on the team as a senior next year. She’s also taking care of business in the classroom. Every afternoon, Martin tutors third-graders at Dogwood Elementary to earn A+ program credits that will eventually cover the cost of a community college education. She plans to major in occupational therapy, which was inspired by her experience with her father, who is a quadriplegic.

“I want to help people like my dad have lives and careers that they love,” she said. “That’s what’s next for me after high school.”

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Eleven Bulldogs punched their tickets to state this year. Nine KHS wrestlers earned points for the team and four came home with individual trophies. The team is led by Head Coach Jacob Hill.

Freshman Carter Temple came into the state tournament ranked third and finished the tournament as the Class 3 State Champion in the 175-lb. division! Carter knocked off the second-ranked wrestler in the semis in dominating fashion. Then he avenged a loss from earlier in the season to beat the top-ranked wrestler in overtime to secure his first state title in his first trip to Columbia.

Other Individual Results

• 113 Landon Westfall (Freshman) – Landon came into the tournament unranked and finished with a 6th place medal. Landon took a tough loss in the first round and came all the way through the backside to find himself in the “blood” round. To secure a medal, he had to beat an opponent from Helias who beat him one week before in the District semis. Landon came out firing and left no doubt about securing his first state medal on his first trip to Columbia.
• 120 Ryder Shelton (Junior) – Ryder finished the state tournament as the Class 3 State Runner-Up. Ryder had another fantastic tournament and found himself in the state finals for the third year in a row. The finals match ended with a controversial call as time expired that didn’t go in our favor, and though devastated, he handled the adversity with the utmost class and character. Ryder is now a three-time finalist and two-time state champion in his three trips to Columbia!
• 190 Jak Gist (Senior) – Jak finished his senior campaign as the Class 3 State Runner-Up. The most impressive thing about his performance is he thought his season was done two weeks earlier because of an elbow injury. He showed some serious toughness and heart by fighting through the injury and ended up punching his ticket to the state finals. He finishes his career as a three-time state qualifier.

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Kearney, Mo, February 23, 2024: In a thrilling display of skill and determination, the Kearney High School Girls Wrestling team secured their second consecutive State Championship title at the Girls Wrestling State Tournament in Columbia. The Bulldogs clinched the victory by a razor-thin 1-point margin over second-place Brookfield in an action-packed two-day event.

Despite facing a numerical disadvantage with only four wrestlers making the journey to Columbia, the Bulldogs strategized to secure bonus point victories and advance deep into the championship rounds. Their efforts paid off as every Bulldog wrestler delivered crucial victories by pin, showcasing exceptional skill and composure on the mat.

Junior Ella Herndon, in her second year of wrestling, demonstrated her grit and determination with a pivotal pin in the first-round wrestle-back. Trailing late in the 3rd period, Herndon executed a spectacular leg attack straight to her opponent’s back, securing the fall for the team. Her performance contributed significantly to the team’s success, with Herndon finishing her first state tournament with a 1-2 record.

Freshman Carli Vargas displayed remarkable poise on the big stage, securing bonus point victories in all her postseason matches en route to a state finals appearance. Vargas delivered a crucial pin in her semi-final match, adding to the Bulldogs’ remarkable round. Despite falling short in a hard-fought championship bout, Vargas finished as the state runner-up in her freshman year.

Sophomore Riley Walker, making her second trip to Columbia, dominated the competition with a series of pins leading up to the state finals. Walker’s impressive performance earned her a second-straight state runner-up result at 110 lbs, solidifying her status as a rising star in the sport.

Junior Bailey Martin emerged as a powerhouse for the Bulldogs, pinning her way through the entire postseason and delivering a flawless performance at the state tournament. With a perfect 30 team points, Martin’s championship pin dealt the final blow to Brookfield’s hopes, securing Kearney’s position at the top of the team race. Martin’s victory also means she is a state placer for the third time and has the distinction of being the second individual state champion in this program’s history, joining Lexie Cole in the annals of Kearney High School wrestling glory.

“It’s a great day to be a Bulldog,” exclaimed Head Coach Nick Ward, reflecting on the team’s remarkable achievement. “This team’s triumph underscores their dedication, talent, and unwavering spirit, setting a shining example for future generations of Bulldogs.”

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Kearney, Mo., September 22, 2023: After working hard for 17 years to build up young people as an educator and coach, Kearney High School’s Nick Ward is being lifted into a spot at the pinnacle of his profession.

Mr. Ward has been selected to be honored as the 2023 Missouri Girls Wrestling Coach of the Year by the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHSA).

Every year, MSHSAA and the NFHSA recognize one coach in each sport in the State of Missouri with its highest honor – The Coach of the Year Award. This award is presented to an individual who has made a life-long commitment to the ideals of coaching interscholastic sports.

“We are pleased to honor Coach Ward as a valued contributor to interscholastic activities in the State of Missouri through the Coach of the Year recognition program,” MSHSAA Executive Director of Girls Wrestling Daryl Bradley said.

Ward was surprised and humbled to learn that he would be receiving the award from Mr. Bradley during tonight’s KHS home football game against Winnetonka High School.

“None of this would have happened without the tremendous support from the people who have mentored and guided me throughout my youth as a wrestler and as a young coach and teacher,” Ward said. “I owe a lot of my life to the sport of wrestling. Wrestling has brought me a career, family, countless friends, and influential mentors.”

Ward has taught social studies, U.S. history and related subjects since he joined the KHS faculty in 2013. He was an assistant Boys Wrestling coach from 2013 to 2020; that’s when he started the school’s wrestling program for girls.

He gave credit for the recognition to those who taught him and to the network of support he found in the Bulldog community.

“Countless others have a hand in the program’s success, from past and present wrestlers, coaches, parents, volunteers, and supporters. We have a great staff, administration, and winning culture at KSD,” Ward said. “The wrestling tradition is strong, and all the past and present coaches and assistants also deserve a tip of the cap. I also want to thank my family: Cami, Collin, Coby and Alex.”

Kearney School District Activities Director Dave Schwarzenbach was happy but not particularly surprised that Ward was named as the state’s Girls Wrestling Coach of the Year. Ward has done an outstanding job of recruiting students to compete in the relatively new sport. He’s also developed a reputation as one of the most technical coaches who knows how to train his athletes to their peak performance.

“Coach Ward understands at a very deep level how to train and teach excellent wrestling techniques,” Mr. Schwarzenbach said. “He gets it. He has a lot of tools in the toolbox.”

Ward’s coaching of the Girls Wrestling program at KHS led to a state championship in 2023. Winning is good, but it’s not the main reason why he’s a coach. Wrestling is an opportunity to teach students how to dictate the action when life tries to throw them to the mat.

“Our motto in the program is ‘BUILD.’ As in, you are always building or preparing for the flood,” Ward said. “The flood can come in many ways. It can be a tough loss, a bad test, a family tragedy, etc. The work is never done. Hopefully, the kids in our program take that growth mindset out into the world when they are finished competing for KHS.”

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Kearney, Mo., February 24, 2023: The Bulldogs are ready to raise another banner.

Kearney High School’s Girls Wrestling team earned their first-ever MSHSAA State Championship yesterday in Columbia. They claimed the Missouri title with 75.5 points, just edging out Brookfield.

All four of the Bulldogs’ state contenders ended up medaling:

• Hailey Romero (Senior) – Second (170 Lbs)
• Riley Walker (Freshman) – Fourth (105 Lbs)
• Bailey Martin (Sophomore) – Third (110 Lbs)
• Savannah McDowell (Junior) – Fourth (120 Lbs)

“Going in, the deck was stacked against us,” Head Coach Nick Ward said. “With only four qualifiers, we knew our work was cut out for us, and our bracket draws were incredibly tough. That did not phase our girls. Everyone wrestled their absolute best tournament of the season when it mattered most.”

Freshman Riley Walker jump-started the team’s tournament with an opening round pin. She ran into a game opponent in the quarterfinal round and dropped a tough match. Riley recovered well and wrestled through the backside to the third-place match. She was up 8-0 and got caught and pinned.

“A fourth-place finish as a freshman is a fantastic season,” Coach Ward said. “We can’t wait to see what the next three seasons bring.”

Bailey Martin came out firing, pinning her first two opponents with her patented cradle. In the semifinal round, she matched up with Brookfield’s 51-1, nationally ranked Jayden Keller. Bailey didn’t back down but was ultimately pinned and put into the consolation bracket. In true Bailey fashion, she pinned and tech-falled her remaining opponents, and her third-place win secured our team title. Bailey is now a two-time state medalist as a sophomore and will be a problem for anyone who steps in front of her for two more seasons.

Savannah McDowell had a Cinderella state tournament! She went into the tournament ranked 23rd and earned her spot on the podium as the fourth-place wrestler in Missouri at 120 pounds. She chipped away and gutted out close decision wins to the semifinals, where she lost to the eventual champion. Her consolation semifinal win was over an opponent who had beaten her three times this season, putting KHS in the driver’s seat to close the team race.

“Savannah is a blue-collar, hard-working, loyal teammate and leader,” Ward said. “We are lucky to get her back as a senior next season.”

Hailey Romero was the sole senior qualifier for KHS and was on a mission for redemption. After an outstanding junior season where she won prestigious tournaments such as The Wonder Woman and the KC Stampede, she stumbled at the 2022 state tournament and did not place. Determined to right that wrong, Hailey wrestled all over the country during the off-season and put in the hours to right that wrong. She pinned the top-ranked wrestler in her quarterfinal match and gutted out a gritty semifinal win to punch through to the championship match. Ultimately, Hailey would finish as the State Runner-Up at 170 lbs.

“Hailey has been an integral part of the building phase of our Girls program,” Ward said. “She has been steady, reliable, and dependable and is a tangible example of hard work and perseverance paying off to her peers.”

After a late-night return to Kearney following the Thursday evening medal ceremony, the team celebrated their state championship with a victory tour on Friday morning. This included stops at all of the schools in Kearney School District, where the team and coaches high-fived with cheering throngs of students and staff. (LINK: KHS Girls Wrestling 2023 State Championship Victory Tour Photos)

Coach Ward is confident that his team will continue to reload with new talent. Girls Wrestling is now solidly established as a new legacy for KHS.

“What these four girls did was amazing,” Ward said. “I’ve been to many state tournaments, and this is the first time I’ve seen a team of four hoist the State Championship trophy. We defeated higher-ranked teams that had three or four more participants compared to our contingent. We got every bit of effort and fight from all four of the girls. The other coaches and I couldn’t be prouder of how they represented our program, KHS, and the Kearney community. Girls wrestling has only been around for five seasons, but we have solidified our spot on the map in Missouri.”

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