The Lebanon girls wrestling team finished third in the team competition at state last season just one point behind first place.
“With only one point separating first and third, it really motivated the girls to put in more time over the summer and during preseason,” Lebanon girls head coach Matthew Neely said. “They know winning one more match at state would have given us another title.”
Three state placers including a pair of state champions in Halea Bartel and Mariyah Brumley graduated from last season’s team.
“Last year’s senior class was the most successful group we’ve had in girls history,” Neely said. “They captured 10 individual state medals, three individual state champions, three team state championships and a third-place trophy. Mariyah is the Lebanon career win leader, Halea in second and Lillian is in fourth. They leave behind a legacy of the most successful class in history, so far.”
Jessa Joiner leads the returning wrestlers. She is a two-time state champion with a career record of 141-3.
“Jessa is special because she’s not afraid to take chances and doesn’t know how to give up,” Neely said. “Her mental game is her biggest strength. Jessa approaches this season the same as her previous years, not worrying about seeding or who her opponent is. She’s going to score points and see what happens. Which has been her game plan her career.”
She will return at 115 pounds.
Kalyn Brumley placed fourth at 155 pounds last season and will be at 170 this season.
“Kalyn learned the amount of potential that exists within her when she is mentally prepared,” Neely said. “She learned that walking into a match with a game plan sets us her for her best chance of success.”
Baylyn Williams (junior), Kaylee Herd (sophomore) and Sophie Quinn (junior) are three more returning state qualifiers.
“Baylyn and Kaylee wrestle very similar styles; very aggressive and don’t stop wrestling,” Neely said. “They create situations that benefit their strengths. Sophiea wrestles a bit more methodically. As an undersized 235, she has to ensure she adjusts for the weight difference. They all have the potential to be a contender for a state medal or title this season.”
They will be at 120, 125 and 190/235, respectively, this season.
Lacey Malonson (junior, 100), Keira Bragg (senior, 105-110), Jalyn Malonson (junior, 125-130), Alyssa Dawson (junior, 130-140), Andrea Childress (junior, 140-155) and Natalie Schmitt (sophomore, 170-190) also return to varsity.
“They’ve all put the practice time in over the summer and during preseason,” Neely said. “Several have put time in at a local wrestling club and competed at several tournaments.”
Josey Starmer (freshman, 110-120), Isabella O’Dell (freshman,140-155), Carli Alford (freshman, 170-190), Mallory Carl-Mummert (freshman, 145-155),  Elli Rothman (freshman, 110-120), Ashlyn Hicks (freshman, 130-140), Harmony Wade (sophomore, 140-155), Norah Mease (junior, 135-145) and Cailyn Meckman (freshman, 130-135) all will compete for varsity mat time this season.
“Experience is the strength of this team,” Neely said. “We return six past state qualifiers. We have several that are juniors this year that have been one match away from competing at the state tournament the last two seasons.”
