Parsons State Champion: Lady Jays Medal Four Placing Fourth at State
by Maggie Painter
On Friday, February 18, the Pierce girl wrestlers started competing at the state tournament in Omaha where they finished fourth overall as a team, medaling multiple, including state champion, Makinie Parsons.
Parsons, a senior, won the tournament earning her the title of the first ever 185 pound Nebraska girls state champion. Parsons states, “I’m so thankful for my teammates, family, and coaches for pushing me to get better all season, and I’m also very grateful for all the opportunities that I’ve been given throughout my wrestling career. I’m also super proud of all the girls and all their hard work throughout the season. I look forward to watching them next season.” Parsons started her journey to gold on Friday when she first wrestled Lila Bloomer of South Loup. After pinning Bloomer, she then went on to pin Ali Edwards of Grand Island as well. Saturday, Parsons wrestled her finals match going head to head with Makena Schramm of Fairbury. Parson won by fall over Schramm, ending her season with a 31-1 record, and the title of girls 185 state champion.
Wrestling at 120 pounds for the Lady Jays was senior Callie Arnold, who placed fifth, ending her season with a 28-13 record. In her first match she lost to Tiearra Pollard of Norfolk in tie breaker - 1. Arnold went on to win by decision over Kyra Robbins of Bridgeport in her second and final match on Friday. On Saturday, she won in the ultimate tie breaker over Kaitlyn Jeffrey of Platteview, but then was pinned by Jamelah Taylor of Papillion La Vista. In Arnold’s final match, she won by decision over Tiearra Pollard of Norfolk, securing her fifth place medal.
Angeline Skrdla, concluding her sophomore season with a 29-10 record, also placed fifth in Omaha. A. Skrdla pinned Patricia Arroyo of Red Cloud/Blue Hill to punch her ticket to the semifinals. Here, Pacie Lee of Nebraska City won by decision over A. Skrdla 7-3. On Saturday, A. Skrdla fell to Victoria Maxey of Norfolk, but then won by medical forfeit over Emory Trofholz of Conestoga, placing fifth at 126 pounds.
Haylee Miller, at 138 pounds, ended her season finishing sixth. Miller fell to Carly Wemhoff of Schuyler in her first match on Friday, but came back in her second match and won in sudden victory -1 over Andrea Melendez of Lexington. Miller started Saturday off by winning in the ultimate tie breaker over Gwyneth Davis of McCook, but then fell to Dylen Ritchey of Ralston and Koryn Kline of Ord in her last two matches of the tournament. Miller concluded her season with a record of 23-11.
Isabelle Skrdla, also wrestling 138 pounds, started the tournament out strong, pinning Andrea Melendez of Lexington. However, I. Skrdla fell to Sylen Ritchey her second match, and to Kehlanee Bengtson of Aurora her third. I. Skrdla finished her season with an 18-14 record.
Freshman Hadleigh Collison went 11-10 on the season at 107 pounds. In Collison’s first match in Omaha, she fell to Taylee Williamson of Chadron. Unfortunately, Collision then also fell to Michaela Bivainias of Amherst.
Maggie Painter, a sophomore wrestling at 132 pounds, wrapped up her season with a 38-4 record. In her first match of the tournament she fell to Rylee Hoppe of Norfolk, but came back in her second match to pin Jacqueline Halouska of Omaha South. Saturday Painter wrestled Sage McCallum of Grand Island, losing by decision 3-2.
Congratulations to all the Lady Jay wrestlers on an outstanding season!
