Competing at the MSHSAA Wrestling Championships at Cable Dahmer Arena in Independence on Tuesday, March 9, Washington High School crowned three all-state medalists and captured third-place team honors.
Four Lady Jays competed in the state tournament and combined to accumulate a team score of 61 points to finish third in the team standings. Lebanon was first with 101 points and Lafayette placed second with 81.5.
Washington’s Mia Reed (107 pounds) and Allison Meyer (117 pounds) both wrestled for state championships and took second-place honors for Josh Ohm’s Lady Jays. Julia Donnelly (102 pounds) earned fifth-place honors. McKenna Deckelman (127 pounds) also was a state qualifier.
Reed finished her senior season with a 40-6 record, claiming her second career state wrestling medal. Five of her six losses this season, including the district, sectional and state championship matches, came against Lafayette’s Faith Cole, a three-time state champion and nationally ranked wrestler.
“I’m really excited. From the start of the year, Coach Ohm always reminded us that we could make it on the podium and it’s exciting to get here,” Reed said. “To get third place as a team, I don’t think anyone thought we would accomplish that. I was just soaking it all in because this is my last time wrestling. It’s bittersweet because it’s over, but I’m excited to see how this helps the program in the future. It doesn’t end with the three seniors graduating. We have Julia (Donnelly) and other girls who are ready to step up. It doesn’t end with us.”
Reed will attend Missouri Baptist University to run track and cross country.
Meyer ended her senior season with a 44-1 record, claiming district and sectional titles in the process. She lost to Harrisonville’s Chloe Herrick (also 44-1) in the state title match.
“Did I want to lose the championship match? No. No one wants to lose. But I refuse to hang my head over second place. Being undefeated my senior year and losing my only match in the state finals and taking second, that’s something to be proud of,” Meyer said. “We weren’t guaranteed a season. We went into this year not knowing what to expect or how long the season would last. I really took it one match at a time. Coach Ohm always helped keep my nerves calm. He’s a very calming person. I’m excited for our team because I know how much work we’ve put in. We put ourselves in a position to accomplish this. I’m really happy for Coach Ohm. He deserves that team trophy. I’m excited that I got to be a part of it.”
Meyer will continue her wrestling career at William Jewell College in Liberty.
Also reaching the medal stand was Julia Donnelly, who earned fifth-place honors at 102 pounds. Donnelly, a sophomore, finished the season with a 38-8 record.
“It was an unbelievable experience. It was so fun. I was a little nervous, but more excited,” Donnelly said. “It was great that I got to continue my season at state. That was the best feeling. The cherry on top was the team getting third place. I love this team. They’re like my family. I wouldn’t be here without them.”
Washington senior McKenna Deckelman (127 pounds) fell one win short of reaching the medal stand, but still played a big role in the Lady Jays finishing in third place as a team.
Deckelman ended the season with a 33-11 record.
Decklman will continue her wrestling career at Central Methodist University in Fayette.
Photos of Washington wrestlers at the state wrestling meet are below.
Washington Lady Jays - Third Place State Wrestling Championships.
Mia Reed second place at 107 pounds.
Allison Meyer second place at 117 pounds.
Julia Donnelly fifth place at 102 pounds.
McKenna Deckelman
Julia Donnelly
Mia Reed
Allison Meyer
