By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Editor's note: The 20 girls wrestlers to watch are primarily based on performances in the 2023-2024 season. TopSports.news is still in the process of receiving preseason information from local coaches and will update information as needed.
Koti Best, Seaman
KOTI BEST, Seaman
Best, a senior, had her junior season disrupted by injury after finishing second in Class 5A as a sophomore. Best received All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season and is ranked No. 1 at 115 pounds in the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association's second of two preseason state 5A rankings.
MADISON BLANCO, Washburn Rural
A junior, Blanco earned first-team All-Shawnee County recognition last season at 130 pounds after helping Washburn Rural win its second straight Class 6A state team title. Blanco posted a 28-9 record and placed sixth in 6A. She is ranked No. 3 in 6A at 135 pounds in the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Assocation's second preseason rankings.
MADDY BLOW, Washburn Rural
Blow, a senior, was a first-team All-Shawnee County pick for the second straight season at 115 pounds after qualifying for the Class 6A state tournament and posting a 22-12 record on the season. Blow is ranked sixth at 115 in 6A by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association in its second of two preseason rankings.
CONNIE BURNS, Highland Park
Burns, a junior, posted a 23-6 record and was a second-team All-Shawnee County selection last season at 105 pounds for Shawne Heights before transferring to Highland Park this season. Burns is 5-0 on the season for the Scots after winning the 115-pound title in Saturday's Highland Park Invitational.
MAKAYLA CADET, Highland Park
A junior, Cadet earned All-Shawnee County honorable mention in the 2023-2024 season and is ranked No. 6 in Class 5A at 190 pounds by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association in its second preseason rankings. Cadet won the 235-pound title in Saturday's Highland Park Invitational.
Maddie Freeland, Shawnee Heights
MADDIE FREELAND, Shawnee Heights
A senior, Freeland is a three-time state qualfier and finished second in Class 5A at 135 pounds in 2023 while compiling a 27-4 record. Freeland was a second-team All-Shawnee County selection as a junior and is ranked No. 2 at 135 in 5A by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association in its second preseason state rankings.
ANNIE GALLEGOS, Washburn Rural
Gallegos, a senior, received second-team All-Shawnee County honors last season at 125 pounds and is a two-time state medalist. Gallegos was a state qualifier last season, posting a 19-5 record on the season, and is ranked No. 3 in the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association's first preseason rankings.
TESSA GERBER, Silver Lake
A senior multi-sport standout for Silver Lake, Gerber is currently ranked No. 3 in Class 3A-1A at 135 pounds by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association in its second of two preseason staate rankings.
Cianna Graves, Shawnee Heights
CIANNA GRAVES, Shawnee Heights
A junior, Graves received first-team All-Shawnee County honors at 155 pounds last season after posting a 32-8 record and finishing fifth in the Class 5A state tournament. Graves, a two-time state placer, is currently top-ranked in 5A by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association in its second preseason state rankings.
McKENNA HARRIS, Silver Lake
Harris, a junior for the Eagles, is currently ranked No. 4 at 125 pounds in Class 3A-1A by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association in the second of two preseason rankings.
Taylie Heston, Seaman
TAYLIE HESTON, Seaman
Heston, a senior, finished fourth in Class 5A last season at 120 pounds and posted a 30-10 record en route to earning All-Shawnee County first-team recognition for the second straight season. Heston is ranked second in 5A in the second Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association preseason state rankings at 120.
LACEY MIDDLETON, Washburn Rural
Middleton, a junior was named the Shawnee County newcomer of the year last season after posting a 32-10 record and placing sixth in Class 6A for the state-champion Junior Blues. Middleton received second-team all-county recognition a year ago and is ranked No. 3 in 6A at 120 pounds by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association in its second preseason rankings.
IZZY REYES, Shawnee Heights
A senior 130-pounder, Reyes earned second-team All-Shawne County recognition last season at 130 pounds after posting a 28-5 record. A two-time Class 5A state qualifier, Reyes is ranked No. 3 in 5A at 130 by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association in its preseason rankings.
ELLA SMITH, Washburn Rural
Smith, a junior, was a first-team All-Shawnee County pick at 190 pounds last season after qualifying for the Class 6A state tournament and posting a 25-14 record on the year. Smith is expected to compete at 170 pounds this season and currently ranked fourth in 6A in the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association second preseason rankings.
NATALIE SMITH, Seaman
Smith, a senior, earned All-Shawnee County honorable mention in the 2023-2024 season for the Vikings and is currently ranked No. 6 in Class 5A at 110 pounds in the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association second of two preseason 5A state rankings.
ABAGAIL SOPPE, Seaman
A senior 190-pounder, Soppe was a second-team All-Shawnee County selection last season at 190 pounds after posting a 21-13 record for the Vikings. Soppe is ranked No. 4 at 190 by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association in its second of two preseason Class 5A state rankings.
Molly Spader, Washburn Rural
MOLLY SPADER, Washburn Rural
Spader, a senior helped lead Washburn Rural to a second straight Class 6A state team title last season, posting a second-place state finish at 105 pounds. Spader compiled a 35-3 record last season and is currently top-ranked in 6A at 105 by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association in its second of two preseason state rankings.
OLIVIA STEVENS, Shawnee Heights
A junior, Stevens posted a 29-9 record over the 2023-2024 season, earning All-Shawnee County first-team recognition at 140 pounds for the T-Birds. Stevens qualified for the Class 5A state tournament last season and is ranked No. 2 by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association at 140 in its second preseason rankings.
REECE TAYLOR, Shawnee Heights
Taylor, a senior, posted a 25-10 record last season and finished fourth in the Class 5A state tournament at 125 pounds. A first-team All-Shawnee County pick, Taylor is a three-time state qualifier and a two-time state medalist. Taylor begins the season top-ranked in 5A by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association in its second preseason state rankings.
MADELYN WONNELL, Rossville
A junior, Wonnell was a Class 3A-1A state qualifier last season, helping Rossville capture the 3A-1A state team championship. Wonnell earned All-Shawnee County honorable mention as a freshman and is ranked No. 5 at 145 pounds by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association in its second of two preeseason rankings.
