If you follow Missouri girls wrestling, the name Anh Ngo should already be on your radar. If it’s not, it will be soon.
The North Kansas City senior is closing out her high school career with authority. Ranked No. 3 in Missouri at 115 pounds and carrying a commanding 30–2 record into the postseason, Ngo has established herself as one of the most dangerous competitors in the state, and she shows no signs of surrendering her position atop the rankings.
Her season has been defined by statement performances. A marquee championship run at the prestigious KC Stampede was followed by a hard-fought third-place finish at the nationally recognized Wonder Woman tournament; two events that solidified her reputation as an elite contender.
Building on a State Podium Finish
Ngo enters her final postseason run after placing fourth at the 2025 Missouri Women’s High School State Championships. With a veteran-laden NKC roster and high expectations surrounding the program, the responsibility of elevating the Hornets in the state standings has largely fallen to senior leaders Ngo and Juliana Tice.
Ngo credits much of her leap this season to her offseason commitment. She spent the entire summer training with her coaches at Greater Heights, sharpening her technique and mentality alongside her teammates in preparation for one final run; The investment has paid dividends.
A Statement at the KC Stampede
Seeded second at the KC Stampede, Ngo’s path to the finals was anything but easy. Yet she navigated it with clinical precision, not surrendering a single point en route to the championship bout.
In the finals, she faced Platte County senior Charley Sims, another top ranked Class 2 contender. Ngo wasted no time asserting control, firing off a single-leg attack within the first 10 seconds to take a 3–0 lead. From there, she dictated the pace. When Sims attempted to mount offense in the second period, Ngo’s defense proved overwhelming. She countered, controlled the scramble, and maintained command throughout, sealing a 7–1 decision in dominant fashion. It was not just a win, it was a declaration of what was to come the rest of the season.
Grit on Display at Wonder Woman
Ngo followed her Stampede triumph with another high-level performance at Wonder Woman.
After a tightly contested semifinal loss to the No. 1-ranked freshman from Illinois, and eventual tournament champion, Ngo showed her resilience in the third-place match against Marshfield junior Carlynn Mynatt, who currently sits No. 2 in Missouri Class 1 at 115, the bout was a battle. Ngo opened aggressively, securing an early takedown before blood time paused the match. When action resumed, Mynatt fought back with a reversal, only for Ngo to counter and regain control, ending the first period ahead 5–2.
Momentum shifted in the second. An escape by Ngo pushed the score to 6–2, but Mynatt responded with a takedown and near-fall exposure, taking an 8–6 lead into the final frame.
The third period became a test of resolve. Both wrestlers attacked relentlessly, but it was Ngo who found the decisive score, reclaiming the lead at 9–8. She then leaned on her strength and mat control, riding out the remainder of the period to secure third place in a match defined by grit and composure. It was the type of win wrestlers carry with them long after the season ends.
A Senior Night to Remember
Ngo’s final appearance on her home mats was an emotional one. She secured two falls over conference rivals Ariana Hurd of Liberty and Ollani Diersel of Park Hill South, including a lightning-fast 41-second pin, the quickest fall of the night.
“I expected to cry,” Ngo admitted. “It was just a good reflection of how far I have come.”
More than the victories, it was the atmosphere that resonated.
“I’m really going to miss the support system I get with this team. I’ve never had that feeling with any other team I’ve been with.”
At North Kansas City, wrestling is more than competition. It is a family built on growth, grit, and determination.
Blocking Out the Noise
The Hornets boast one of the most experienced rosters in Class 2 and have positioned themselves as legitimate challengers at the state level. Still, outside doubt lingers, something Ngo handles with characteristic composure.
“Haters are gonna hate,” she said with a smile.
The outside noise, she insists, has no impact.
“We’re just going to keep working hard. We’ve been working hard and we’re going to continue to work hard. It’s going to show through what we achieve and how we continue to perform.”
One Final Run
As districts approach (widely considered one of the toughest districts in Class 2) Ngo is projected to earn the top seed. With that comes expectation and pressure, especially in a field loaded with ranked Missouri talent; But for Ngo, the battle is internal.
“Last year was not the best. I didn’t compete to my potential,” she reflected. “Right now, it’s more about getting my mind right. I don’t like to talk to people before my matches. I just give myself positive affirmations before stepping onto the mat.”
The mission is clear: one final climb to the state podium.
Beyond High School
Ngo’s journey won’t end when the season does. She plans to wrestle in college while pursuing a pre-med track, with aspirations of entering pediatric oncology or pre-dental studies; goals that mirror the discipline and drive she displays on the mat.
When asked what advice she would give a young girl stepping into wrestling for the first time, her answer was simple and direct:
“Hard work beats talent. There are going to be a lot of hard days — I’ve had a lot of hard days. This sport is very physically and mentally demanding. But stick with it. There are relationships you’ll build that will last a lifetime.”
For Anh Ngo, that message isn’t just advice. It’s the blueprint she’s followed, and the reason her final chapter at North Kansas City is shaping up to be unforgettable.