The annual Kewpie Invitational returned this weekend to Columbia, Missouri, bringing together a competitive field of 18 girls wrestling programs from across the state. Representing both Class 1 and Class 2 divisions, the tournament delivered high-level mat action, impressive individual performances, and a preview of what may come as the postseason approaches.
In a strong showing by Class 2 competition, Nixa asserted its dominance by capturing the team championship with a total of 183.5 points, outpacing a talented field that included several top-10 ranked schools. Nixa’s depth and consistency across weight classes powered its team triumph and reinforced the program’s status as a state championship favorite.
Finishing in second place with 139 points was Northwest (Cedar Hill), one of the standout squads of the weekend. Northwest (Cedar Hill) was particularly effective in advancing wrestlers deep into the bracket, placing five athletes in the finals. The Lions recorded one individual champion and multiple podium finishes, showcasing both talent and momentum as the postseason draws near.
Rounding out the top three was Staley, who posted a strong third-place team finish against stiff competition from throughout the state. They continue to show depth as the season advances. Staley secured 124 team points advancing 3 ladies to the finals, producing 2 champions.
The Invitational featured wrestlers from both Class 1 and Class 2 programs, giving athletes a chance to compete outside their regular district alignments and measure themselves against a broader competitive landscape. The result was an event marked by spirited matches, tactical wrestling, and several bouts decided in the final periods.
Northwest (Cedar Hill): A Class 2 Dark Horse?
With its performance at the Kewpie Invitational, Northwest (Cedar Hill) is generating buzz as a potential Class 2 contender heading into the postseason. The Lions’ ability to place multiple wrestlers in title matches, including an individual champion, demonstrates both depth and resilience. If Northwest continues to build on this momentum, they could be a formidable force in the state tournament and may well emerge as a “dark horse” capable of challenging higher-profile rivals.
As teams shift focus to postseason seeding and preparation, the Kewpie Invitational has provided valuable insight into personnel, matchups, and styles that may define the championship brackets. For Nixa, the Invitational title is another metric of excellence; for Northwest (Cedar Hill), it may signal the beginning of a breakthrough run.
Final Team Standings (Top 3)
- Nixa — 183.5
- Northwest (Cedar Hill) — 139
- Staley — 124
The girls wrestling season continues to build toward district and state tournaments, where each program will look to convert momentum into hardware.
100 –
Champion: Abigail Sehnert – Northwest (Cedar Hill) (Junior)
Runner-Up: Addison Holtgrewe – Francis Howell Central (Junior)
In a highly anticipated Class 2 finals matchup between two top-10 ranked contenders, Abigail Sehnert left little doubt from the opening whistle. Sehnert set the tempo early and never relinquished control, securing a 12–8 decision over Addison Holtgrewe in a fast-paced, scramble-heavy bout. Consistent pressure, timely finishes, and disciplined top work allowed Sehnert to separate late, as her mat awareness and conditioning proved to be the winning factor down the stretch.
Placers: 3rd – Gwyneth Baker Timberland (Sophomore) 4th – Elaina Goodnight Nixa (Freshman) 5th – Makinze Hayes Jefferson City (Junior) 6th – Mia Fijan Eureka (Sophomore)
105 –
Champion: Natalie Nammavaly – Staley (Junior)
Runner-Up: Hailey Moore – Northwest (Cedar Hill) (Freshman)
Placers: 3rd – Hanna Egley Nixa (Junior) 4th – Alyssa Dietiker Timberland (Senior) 5th – Bridgette Philpott Lee’s Summit North (Sophomore) 6th – Valentina Valasquez Hickman (Sophomore)
110 –
Champion: Killian Evans – Blue Springs South (Senior)
Runner-Up: Kirra Dunscombe – Eureka (Senior)
The 110-pound finals delivered exactly what the rankings promised as Class 2 #2 Killian Evans and Class 2 #4 Kirra Dunscombe went to war in a senior showdown with a title on the line. From the opening exchange, the pace was relentless, with both wrestlers trading attacks and answering scores. Evans rose in the biggest moments, stringing together timely takedowns and powerful finishes to pull away late and secure a hard-fought 16–10 decision. When it mattered most, Evans’ composure and closing surge sealed the championship in a match that felt every bit like a state-level preview.
Placers: 3rd – A’Shay White Staley (Senior) 4th – Ashton Mayes Nixa (Junior) 5th – Addison Foster Jefferson City (Freshman) 6th – Grace Cronk Lee’s Summit North (Junior)
115 –
Champion: Avery Edwards – Lee’s Summit North (Sophomore)
Runner-Up: Cherry Hassler – Northwest (Cedar Hill) (Senior)
Placers: 3rd – Taegan Robb Nixa (Freshman) 4th – Riley Hofeditz Hickman (Senior) 5th – Bella Berendzen Hallsville (Junior) 6th – Harper Humes Francis Howell Central (Sophomore)
120 –
Champion: Sydney Stifter – Belton (Senior)
Runner-Up: Amelia Huncovsky – Northwest (Cedar Hill) (Junior)
Sydney Stifter reminded everyone why she sits atop the Missouri rankings at 120. The No. 1 senior put on a statement performance in the finals, methodically breaking down Huncovsky’s defense before securing the fall at 2:42. It was the exclamation point on a championship run defined by sheer dominance. Stifter bulldozed her way through the bracket, finishing every match by pin and doing it faster than anyone in the field. Most pins. Least mat time. Total control. A championship performance that left no doubt who owns 120 in Missouri.
Placers: 3rd – Nova Porter Southern Boone (Senior) 4th – Ava Starks Jefferson City (Freshman) 5th – Laura Schulte Nixa (Senior) 6th – Nevaeh Johnson Staley (Junior)
125 –
Champion: Mackinzie Brewer – Fulton (Sophomore)
Runner-Up: Amelia Robison – Northwest (Cedar Hill) (Sophomore)
A clash of elite talent at 125 pounds ended in emphatic fashion as Class 1 No. 1 Mackinzie Brewer wasted no time asserting her dominance against Class 2 No. 3 Amelia Robison. From the opening whistle, Brewer’s aggressive pace immediately put Robison on the defensive, and it didn’t take long for the pressure to break through. Just 1:24 into the bout, Brewer locked in the fall to secure the title, delivering a powerful statement in a matchup that featured two of Missouri’s best.
Placers: 3rd – Keylee Jones Capital City (Sophomore) 4th – Amara Vanderhoof Eureka (Senior) 5th – Lily Lemons Timberland (Senior) 6th – Maryn Abraham Lee’s Summit North (Freshman)
130 –
Champion: Addison Harkins – Nixa (Senior)
Runner-Up: Kaitlyn Sparkman – Francis Howell Central (Sophomore)
When championships are on the line, Addison Harkins delivers. The No. 1 ranked 130-pounder in Missouri backed up her status in the finals, staying poised and calculated before striking at the right moment to earn the fall at 3:15. Fresh off a KC Stampede title and a runner-up finish at the elite Wonder Woman tournament, Harkins showed why she’s one of the most battle-tested seniors in the state.
Placers: 3rd – Destany Oster Waynesville (Junior) 4th – Amber Miller Northwest (Cedar Hill) (Junior) 5th – Raegan Hageman Eureka (Senior) 6th – Rogan Moeller Rock Bridge (Sophomore)
135 –
Champion: Addison Brown – Waynesville (Sophomore)
Runner-Up: Brylee James – Nixa (Senior)
Placers: 3rd – Danica Griffin Northwest (Cedar Hill) (Freshman) 4th – Allison Heins Staley (Sophomore) 5th – Lucy Sumner Eureka (Sophomore) 6th – Amelia Iden Francis Howell Central (Senior)
140 –
Champion: Ja’Ziya Miles – Staley (Junior)
Runner-Up: Keanna George – Eureka (Junior)
Placers: 3rd – Dzifa Adjokatse Capital City (Junior) 4th – Isabel Diaz-Rubin Nixa (Junior) 5th – Lucy Dampf Grain Valley (Junior) 6th – Jordyn Seely-Manuel Waynesville (Freshman)
145 –
Champion: Kamryn Bourbon – Nixa (Sophomore)
Runner-Up: Mira Richardson – Eureka (Senior)
If there was any doubt who sits atop Missouri’s rankings, Kamry Bourbon erased it in 21 seconds. The No. 1-ranked sophomore and reigning KC Stampede champion stormed the finals and delivered one of the fastest falls of the entire session, wasting zero time asserting control. From the opening whistle, Bourbon exploded into her offense, overwhelming her opponent and ending the title bout almost as quickly as it began.
Placers: 3rd – Athena Anderson Capital City (Junior) 4th – Zafaran Satterfield Southern Boone (Senior) 5th – Leah Hill Blue Springs South (Sophomore) 6th – Eve Smith Waynesville (Senior)
155 –
Champion: Kaylee Scott – Lee’s Summit North (Freshman)
Runner-Up: Brooklyn Koepkey – Grain Valley (Freshman)
Placers: 3rd – Natalie Edmisson Nixa (Junior) 4th – Jaiden Allen Jefferson City (Junior) 5th – Halen Phillips Francis Howell Central (Junior) 6th – Halle Goodrich Blue Springs South (Senior)
170 –
Champion: Chandni Banks – Timberland (Senior)
Runner-Up: Emma Gaeta – Eureka (Sophomore)
Placers: 3rd – Amiyah Gordon Capital City (Sophomore) 4th – JoAnna Hinrichs Staley (Junior) 5th – Ava Purvis Jefferson City (Senior) 6th – Addie Schaefer Southern Boone (Freshman)
190 –
Champion: Jayden Moehle – Grain Valley (Senior)
Runner-Up: Alayna Leslie – Staley (Junior)
A Class 2 showdown between district rivals delivered all the intensity expected as No. 3 Jayden Moehle and No. 5 Alayna Leslie went toe-to-toe for the 190-pound title. The finals was a grind from start to finish — physical exchanges, heavy pressure, and no easy points on either side. As the clock wound down, Moehle’s persistence broke through. With just seconds left, she secured a dramatic fall at 5:28, sealing the championship in a battle that demanded both toughness and endurance. In a matchup that felt like a postseason preview, Moehle proved that relentless pressure pays dividends when it matters most.
Placers: 3rd – Avery Muniz Nixa (Senior) 4th – Madison Glore Timberland (Senior) 5th – Mikah Miller Hickman (Sophomore) 6th – Haley Sims Eureka (Junior)
235 –
Champion: Malena Borja – Belton (Sophomore)
Runner-Up: Haley Hedrick – Capital City (Senior)
Placers: 3rd – Cooper Rowse Francis Howell Central (Senior) 4th – Aubrie Boos Grain Valley (Sophomore) 5th – Ellie Drennon Belton (Freshman) 6th – Laura Howe Nixa (Sophomore)
