KEARNEY, MO. — The stage could not have been set any better Friday night at the KMO Cowbelle Duals. Hosted by Kearney, the three-time defending Missouri girls state champions, the event brought together some of the top programs in the state, delivering one of the most dramatic finishes of the season.
When the dust settled, the championship dual featured exactly what fans hoped for: Class 1 No. 1 Kearney vs. Class 2 No. 2 Fort Osage. What followed was an all-out battle between two elite programs that came down to the very final moments.
The championship dual ended in a 42–42 tie, with Fort Osage ultimately claiming the team title via the forfeit tiebreaker, crowning the Indians as the 2026 KMO Cowbelle Dual Champions. (Dual Results featured at the foot of the article.)
From the opening whistle, this finals matchup was a relentless back-and-forth affair. Every contested bout ended in a fall, meaning each match swung six team points at a time. Momentum shifted repeatedly as both teams answered each other with decisive pins, keeping the packed gym on edge throughout the dual.
The defining moment came late, when Fort Osage freshman Lexi Newman delivered under pressure, securing a crucial fall over Kearney’s Rebecca Lafollette. The pin tied the team score and proved to be the difference, as Kearney’s three forfeits ultimately gave Fort Osage the edge in the tiebreaker.
The showdown was a fitting conclusion to a day that showcased the depth and competitiveness of Missouri girls wrestling.
Kearney powered through Pool A, defeating Excelsior Springs, Platte County, and Staley by commanding margins before earning a semifinal win over Belton. Fort Osage was equally dominant in Pool B, rolling past Odessa, Brookfield, and Belton before knocking off Staley in the semifinals to earn its spot in the finals.
Beyond the championship dual, the finals round featured several tight and entertaining matchups. Staley edged Belton 42–36 to secure third, Platte County cruised past Brookfield 42–18 for a fifth place finish, and Odessa closed the tournament with a 45–24 win over Excelsior Springs earning them seventh.
In the end, the KMO Cowbelle Duals lived up to their billing. Hosted by a dynasty program and highlighted by a championship dual that came down to a single pin and a tiebreaker, the event served as a powerful statement about the growth, intensity, and elite level of girls wrestling in Missouri.
If Friday night was any indication, a future dual between Kearney and Fort Osage would be must-see wrestling. Although these 2 will not see each other in the state tournament, both have earned tremendous respect going into districts, and the entire state will be watching.
Finals Results:
120 – Emmara Hefter (Fort Osage) over “FORFEIT” (Kearney)
125 – Alina Wackerman (Fort Osage) over Madison VanMeter (Kearney) Fall 1:14
130 – Kylie Dunn (Fort Osage) over Aislin Elliot (Kearney) Fall 0:33
135 – Jauzlyean Gray (Fort Osage) over “FORFEIT” (Kearney)
140 – Aida Appenfeller (Kearney) over Lexie Steffens (Fort Osage) Fall 5:59
145 – Ariel Biggs (Fort Osage) over “FORFEIT” (Kearney)
155 – Isabella Wenzel (Kearney) over Madison Lightner (Fort Osage) Fall 0:47
170 – Isabelle Adams (Fort Osage) over Emma Schaetz (Kearney) Fall 0:27
190 – Carli Vargas (Kearney) over Ayden Vaeao (Fort Osage) Fall 0:44
235 – Ella Chavez (Kearney) over Kiara Harvey-Matney (Fort Osage) Fall 4:16
100 – Lexi Newman (Fort Osage) over Rebecca Lafollette (Kearney) Fall 0:53
105 – Zolah Williams (Kearney) over Memri Snow (Fort Osage) Fall 1:12
110 – Myla Woolridge (Kearney) over “FORFEIT” (Fort Osage)
115 – Riley Walker (Kearney) over “FORFEIT” (Fort Osage)
Dual Meet Score: KHS 42.0 – FOHS 42.0
Tie Breaker: forfeits 2.0 vs. 3.0
