Wrestling Lady Jays Win District Title; Wrestlers, Swimmers Qualify for State Events
Washington High School athletes from the girls wrestling and swim teams have qualified for the MSHSAA Championships. Boys wrestlers will compete in district action this weekend with spots at state on the line.
Girls Swimming
The Lady Jays will compete in seven events at the Class 1 Girls Swimming and Diving Championships Friday and Saturday, February 17 and 18, in the afternoon sessions at the Rec-Plex in St. Peters.
Representing Washington in individual events will be Ava Kauffeld in the 200 IM and 100 Breast, and Zoey Ziegler in the 100 free and 100 back.
All three relay teams also qualified for state; the 200 Medley Relay, the 200 Free Relay and the 400 Free Relay. Swimming in those relays will be Kauffeld, Ziegler, Maddy Henderson, Ellie Williams, Dayton Grieshmeimer and Mia Mahon.
“It’s been a great year with improvements all along the way. This year, we have qualified for state in all three relays. Last year, we just missed taking our free relays and qualified only in the 200 Medley. It’s very gratifying to be competing in all three this year,” said Washington Head Swimming Coach Tracy Moreland. “We’re competing in the same individual events we did last year at state, but we are stronger and faster. I can't wait to see them on the big stage again.”
Girls Wrestling
For the third consecutive season, Washington’s girls are district wrestling champions.
Competing at the Class 2 District 1 Tournament Friday and Saturday, February 10 and 11 at Northwest High School in Cedar Hill, the Lady Jays placed at the top of the team standings with 156.5 points. Marquette finished second with 143.5 points followed by Lafayette (127), Rolla (125) and Northwest (122). A total of 16 schools were on hand for the district tournament.
“I thought the girls wrestled well. I really thought going into the last round we would get a few more state qualifiers, but seven is still a school record for us, so we are very proud of the girls,” said Washington Head Wrestling Coach Josh Ohm. “We have only had sanctioned girls wrestling for five years and we have won three straight district titles. Our girls, win or lose, have a lot to be proud of this season.”
The top four finishers in each weight class qualified for the MSHSAA Class 2 Girls Wrestling Championships scheduled for Friday and Saturday, February 24 and 25, at Mizzou Arena in Columbia.
Washington crowned two district champions, Julia Donnelly (30-3) at 110 pounds and Kendra Bliss (45-3) at 125 pounds.
Placing second were Nina Zimmermann (44-7) at 105 pounds and Annelise Obermark (41-7) at 135 pounds.
Also qualifying for state were Ava Griffey (39-8), placing third at 120 pounds; Maggie Ortmann (36-13), placing third at 155 pounds; and Kristin Sprung (27-22), placing fourth at 145 pounds.
Also competing for Washington at the district tournament were Lindsey Mueller (100), Keira Soos (115), Stella Secor (130), Brianna James (140), Loren Thurmon (170) and CJ Trevino (190).
Washington Lady Jays - Class 2 District 1 Wrestling Champions
Lady Jays Wrestling State Qualifiers
Washington Lady Jays state wrestling qualifiers, from left, are Kendra Bliss, Kristin Sprung, Nina Zimmermann, Annelise Obermark, Ava Griffey, Maggie Ortmann and Julia Donnelly.