A high-quality, centrally-located tournament for nearly all of the best Class 1 programs (for boys and girls) in the State of Missouri is just what wrestling fans want just before Christmas. This event is hosted by Lathrop High School and has become a mainstay for small schools around Missouri every season. In addition to this being a good tournament for the high schoolers, it would also be a great opportunity for college coaches to check out some of the local talents early in the season as both boys’ and girls’ teams will be wrestling at the same time in the same arena.
The Mexico Lady Bulldogs had to adjust on the fly as they were anticipating round robin brackets for Day 1 and the tournament officials chose to switch the girls to straight brackets the morning of Day 1 of the tournament. This last minute change gave the ladies a postseason tournament feel from the get-go and for several of the Lady Bulldogs, their first straight bracket experience in wrestling. It also gave most of the Mexico wrestlers first-round byes, except at 130 lbs and 155 lbs.
As stated in my preview article, every bracket contained returning state qualifiers, top-10 wrestlers, etc. This provided a solid litmus test for each of the Lady Bulldogs, including their two ranked wrestlers, Abigail Bowen at 135 lbs and Alexus Johns at 235 lbs. Overall, the Lady Bulldogs were 8-12 in matches wrestled (not including byes). However, they were 4-2 against District 2 opponents at this event which will bode well for the Lady Bulldogs come February.
Up Next:
The Lady Bulldogs put two in the top eight (1 7th place wrestler and 1 2nd place wrestler), including one finalist (Johns @ 235 lbs.) The Lady Bulldogs finished in 25th place with 72 points. The Lady Bulldogs will have most of Christmas Break off from competition and will be preparing for their Conference Dual Tournament on January 6th in Moberly, MO. The Lady Bulldogs will be wrestling simultaneously with the Mexico Boys team. After that, the Lady Bulldogs will have a few days off before traveling to Jefferson City to the Capital City Girls tournament on Friday, January 10th. Their next home meet is scheduled for Tuesday 1/14/2024. The Lady Bulldogs are hosting a quad meet with District 2 opponents (Southern Boone and Orchard Farm) as well as Eldon.
Below are the individual match-by-match scores for the Mexico Lady Bulldogs for both days of wrestling at the Battle of Katy Trail.
130 lbs.
Nevaeh Varner (4-7) place is unknown and scored 3.0 team points.
- Champ. Round 1 – Addison Kelley (Oak Grove) 7-6 won by fall over Nevaeh Varner (Mexico) 4-7 (Fall 1:17)
- Cons. Round 1 – Nevaeh Varner (Mexico) 4-7 won by fall over Aries Zuniga (Piper) 1-11 (Fall 3:46)
- Cons. Round 2 – Tracie Knight (Marshall) 3-8 won by fall over Nevaeh Varner (Mexico) 4-7 (Fall 4:01)
135 lbs.
Abigail Bowen (13-4) placed 7th and scored 23.0 team points.
- Champ. Round 1 – Abigail Bowen (Mexico) 13-4 received a bye () (Bye)
- Champ. Round 2 – Abigail Bowen (Mexico) 13-4 won by fall over Leigha Coons (Warsaw) 0-2 (Fall 0:41)
- Quarterfinal – Darilyn George (Lees Summit West) 16-4 won by injury default over Abigail Bowen (Mexico) 13-4 (Inj. 3:06)
- Cons. Round 4 – Abigail Bowen (Mexico) 13-4 won by fall over Elka Endres (North Calloway) 10-5 (Fall 4:43)
- Cons. Round 5 – Amelia Brown (Knob Noster) 18-4 won by fall over Abigail Bowen (Mexico) 13-4 (Fall 3:53)
- 7th Place Match – Abigail Bowen (Mexico) 13-4 won by fall over Kyndal Wilt (Palmyra) 9-4 (Fall 1:17)
140 lbs.
Marali Hererra (4-13) placed 11th and scored 8.0 team points.
- Champ. Round 1 – Marali Hererra (Mexico) 4-13 received a bye () (Bye)
- Champ. Round 2 – Aliyah Jesse (Lawson) 15-1 won by fall over Marali Hererra (Mexico) 4-13 (Fall 0:51)
- Cons. Round 2 – Marali Hererra (Mexico) 4-13 received a bye () (Bye)
- Cons. Round 3 – Marali Hererra (Mexico) 4-13 won by fall over Alayna Daniel (Tipton) 4-5 (Fall 2:03)
- Cons. Round 4 – Tayja Hernandez (Mid-Buchanan) 8-4 won by fall over Marali Hererra (Mexico) 4-13 (Fall 0:40)
- Cons. Round 5 – Elise Quinn (Lift For Life Academy) 10-5 won by fall over Marali Hererra (Mexico) 4-13 (Fall 0:49)
- 11th Place Match – Marali Hererra (Mexico) 4-13 received a bye () (Bye)
155 lbs.
Jazzmin Torres (6-9) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.
- Champ. Round 1 – Emerson Comegys (Booneville) 15-4 won by fall over Jazzmin Torres (Mexico) 6-9 (Fall 3:01)
- Cons. Round 1 – Jazzmin Torres (Mexico) 6-9 received a bye () (Bye)
- Cons. Round 2 – madelyn rollins (Versailles) 14-5 won by fall over Jazzmin Torres (Mexico) 6-9 (Fall 2:55)
170 lbs.
Sophia Morris (3-16) place is unknown and scored 4.0 team points.
- Champ. Round 1 – Emily Lawson (Marshall) 4-7 won by fall over Sophia Morris (Mexico) 3-16 (Fall 0:25)
- Cons. Round 1 – Sophia Morris (Mexico) 3-16 received a bye () (Bye)
- Cons. Round 2 – Sophia Morris (Mexico) 3-16 won by medical forfeit over Karli Patrick (Butler) 3-5 (M. For.)
- Cons. Round 3 – Gracie Danner (Kearney) 7-7 won by fall over Sophia Morris (Mexico) 3-16 (Fall 0:24)
235 lbs.
Alexus Johns (17-2) placed 2nd and scored 34.0 team points.
- Champ. Round 1 – Alexus Johns (Mexico) 17-2 received a bye () (Bye)
- Champ. Round 2 – Alexus Johns (Mexico) 17-2 received a bye () (Bye)
- Quarterfinal – Alexus Johns (Mexico) 17-2 won by fall over Brooklyn Jackman (Warsaw) 9-4 (Fall 4:18)
- Semifinal – Alexus Johns (Mexico) 17-2 won by decision over Sherlyn Solano (Marshall) 8-3 (Dec 3-2)
- 1st Place Match – Annabelle Rowe (Adrian) 5-1 won by injury default over Alexus Johns (Mexico) 17-2 (Inj. 5:55)
