The Nevada girls wrestling team will have its biggest roster to date and returns five state qualifiers from last season’s team.
That group of returning state qualifiers includes seniors Averi Dawn, Sydnee Baldwin, Leandra Shotts and Ella Heathman.
“This group of seniors has been very important to the growth and development of our girls wrestling program,” Nevada head coach Jerrod Alexander said. “All four of our seniors have been a part of the program for four years and three of them came into high school with youth and middle school wrestling experience. They have done a really good job of picking up where the previous seniors left off and continue to be great role models and advocates for women’s wrestling.”
Baldwin placed third at 110 as a junior. She will wrestle in the 115-125 pound range this season.
“Sydnee had a great Junior season earning third place at state as well as becoming the first member of the Lady Tiger Wrestling “Century Club “ surpassing 100 career victories,” Alexander said. “Sydnee is tough and skilled and continues to work hard and try to take that next step in Columbia at state and make the state finals.”
Dawn qualified at 100 pounds and will return to that weight class.
“Averi is a two-time state tournament qualifier and we are looking for another successful season for her,” Alexander said. “We are looking for her to become the second member of the Nevada Lady Tiger Wrestling “Century Club “ this season. Averi has the most wrestling experience on our squad as she began wrestling at a young age through our youth program.”
Shotts qualified for state at 140 pounds and will wrestle there again this season.
“Leandra is a physical wrestler who looks to impose her will on her opponents,” Alexander said. “She is continuing to improve her techniques to go along with her physical wrestling style.”
Heathman will again wrestle at 155 pounds after qualifying for state at that weight.
“Ella is another one of our experienced seniors and she has a never-quit attitude,” Alexander said. “Ella won several matches at districts in overtime where she was able to continue to push the pace and wear her opponents down. She is physical, tough and looking to have another great season.”
Drew Leer is the fifth returning state qualifier. She was one win away from a state medal at 235 pounds last season and will wrestle that class once again.
“Drew is coming into her junior season with her season ending one victory away from making the medal stand at state in both her freshman and sophomore campaigns,” Alexander said. “The experience that she has gained at the state tournament is a strength for her and will benefit her in big matches this season. Drew had a good offseason, competing in and winning Adidas Nationals as well as competing in some freestyle tournaments last spring. Drew is a hard worker and continues to improve every day.”
Brinklee Janes (sophomore, 125-130) and Allison Olson (senior, 145) also return.
Newcomers include a large freshman contingent comprised of Brooklyn Hoag (125-130), Makenna Lee (120), Tayla Jeffries (145), Mary Stone (110-115) and Dani Wydick (115-120).
“We are looking for the freshman class overall to have a positive impact on our lineup,” Alexander said. “It is a big class of wrestlers that are hard workers and mesh well with our returners.”
Nevada girls wrestling has a good balance of experienced and young wrestlers throughout the roster.
“We have a really good mix of veterans with big match experience and talented freshman/sophomores that mesh really well together,” Alexander said.
Nevada opens the season on Dec. 5 at home against Webb City.
“Our goals are to compete to the best of our ability every time we step out on the mat,” Alexander said. “We want to wrestle smart, wrestle tough and represent our team, school and community with pride. Continued growth and improvement throughout the season to be wrestling our best in February is a successful season.”
