Columbus East’s Maddie Shrader, right, goes for the pin on Elkhart’s Lily Clark in the 235-pound first-round match Jan. 17 at the Girls Wrestling State Finals at the Corteva Coliseum in Indianapolis.
Rob Baker | For The Republic
The first year of girls wrestling being sanctioned by the IHSAA ended in exciting fashion, with Columbus East being crowned state champions.
The Olympians have reloaded this season, while Columbus North and Jennings County will look to challenge and Brown County will compete in girls wrestling for the first time.
Here is a look at those schools heading into the 2025-26 season:
Columbus East
The Olympians lost six of their eight state qualfiers, but will have a bigger team this season with 18 wrestlers.
“We grew in numbers, which was something we were focused on, and making sure we got new faces in the room and trying to build that culture, so I think we accomplished those goals for sure,” East coach Ty Olds said.
Junior Maddie Shrader finished fourth at state at 235 pounds while weighing only 174. She will slide into the 190-pound spot that was occupied last year by state titlist Monica McMahon.
“I think she has a really good shot at getting another medal at 190,” Olds said.
Junior Tienica Dits was a state qualifier at 100. She likely will begin the season at 110 before getting down to 105 or 110.
Sophomore Abby Morales will take over at 100. Freshman Lia Tomlinson or sophomore Dulce Santiago will be at 110, with freshman Breilyn Rodriguez at 115, junior Meredith Henry at 120, freshman Gloria Cloud at 125, senior Luci Morales at 130 and freshman Syndhl Farley at 135.
The Olympians likely will forfiet the 140-pound class. Freshman Thania De La Cruz Diaz steps in at 145, with Izzy Wakefield moving up to 155, freshman Annie Redman at 170 and sophomore Kadence Spradlin at 235.
“Our upper weights are going to be strong again,” Olds said. “A couple girls wrestling against Grace (McMahon) and Monica just got better. Then, you throw Gloria in the middle weights and Tienica in the lower weights, we’re going to be strong, as well. We’re battling a couple of injuries right now, so our first couple of tournaments won’t be who we are later on.”
Columbus North
The Bull Dogs return a state qualifier in sophomore Vika Konovalenko. She will move up from 120 to 130.
Columbus North’s Vika Konovalenko is declared the winner of her match against Columbus East in the 125-pound weight class Dec. 18, 2024 at Columbus East High School.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Junior Aubreigh Campbell returns at 155, where she is battling with freshman Sophia Damon and sophomore Abigail Little. Sophomore Fatima Aguilar is back at 235, where she is being challenged bu sophomore Shalece Root and freshman Talia Rodriguez.
Looking to fill the other spots are freshmen Nitya Hurli or Gwen McKay at 100, freshman Paris Lopez at 105, sophomore Alona Call at 125, junior Zahylnn Williams at 170 and sophomore Morgan Clark at 190.
“This season’s about more than wins, it’s about building something bigger,” North coach Lindsey Bradshaw said. “Do it for her, do it for the next generation coming up. Keep chasing opportunities.”
Jennings County
The Panthers won the Floyd Central Sectional title last season. That qualified them for the state duals, where they finished 10th.
“We’ll be strong,” Jennings coach Carl Pemberton said. “I think we’ll definitely be in the mix for repeating.”
Jennings County’s Violeta Gomez-Hilerio tries to break away from Mooresville’s Cadence Williams in the 120-pound third-place match Jan. 10 at the Mooresville Regional.
Rob Baker | For The Republic
Violeta Gomez was a state qualifier at 120. Molly Wathen (125), Karli Ledbetter (140), Katherine Brunner (145) Savannah Bannister (155) and Gabby Herndandez (170) were regional qualifiers.
Sophomore Baylee Franks returns at 100. Hallie Fording will step in at 105.
“We have a lot of returning girls, a little more experience,” Pemberton said. “Girls wrestling is getting better, and we have a lot of quality around us. We hope we’re competing with some girls for state placers and state championship.”
Brown County
The Eagles will have four wrestlers who will form their first girls wrestling team.
Freshman Violet Tyron likely will be at 115. Sophomore Annie Stowers and freshman Summer Jones could wrestle 130 or 135, with freshman Erin Murphy at 140.
“All four of them have no experience,” Brown County coach Andy Reed said. “But they’re learning quick and doing a very good job.”
