The Nevada girls wrestling team isn’t one that has been on the radar as a contender for a state plaque in recent years.
Perhaps that could change in the 2024-25 season and its performance in the Steve Leslie Invitational Friday at Pleasant Hill High School showed the Tigers could be a team to keep an eye on.
The 2024 Steve Leslie Wrestling Tournament has started! Good luck Roosters and Chicks! pic.twitter.com/WWflWBOzT6
— PHHS Activities (@PHHSActivities) December 6, 2024
Nevada took first place with 140 points. Blair Oaks was close behind in second with 132 points and Jefferson City was third with 127.5.
The Tigers had two wrestlers who won their bracket senior Averi Dawn (100) and Ella Healthman (155).
Dawn went 5-0 in her bracket and got first-period pins in the semifinals and in the championship match Makinze Hayes of Jefferson City to get off to a good start to her season.
“It felt really good to get back out on the met,” Dawn said. “I just wrestled hard and did my thing. My high (crotches) and out singles are my go to moves. They worked every time.”
Heathman also went 5-0 as she earned a 7-0 victory over Lorelei Weaver of Lafayette County in the semifinals and she edged St. Genevieve’s Anna Fischer 4-2 in the championship match.
“I think it was a tough match against a really good opponent,” Healthman said of her match with Fischer. “Hopefully I get to see her again later in the season. My double legs were working really well and my defense was really good and helped me out a lot.”