The Carthage girls wrestling team battled through a stacked field this weekend at the Belton Tournament, finishing in 10th place overall in a multi-team event featuring strong programs from across the Kansas City metro area and beyond.
Led by a pair of third-place medalists, the Tigers demonstrated grit and determination, with several wrestlers earning valuable placements and team points in one of the season's early high-level competitions.
Sophomore Kaylee James (16-1) at 140 pounds and Hadley White (12-4) at 105 pounds both claimed bronze medals, each contributing 26 team points with dominant performances on the mat.
James, one of the team's standout returners, powered through the bracket with five consecutive pins before dropping a close 9-5 decision in the semifinals to eventual runner-up Ariel Biggs of Fort Osage. She bounced back strongly, pinning Heaven Patton (Liberty) in just 1:06 for third place.
White was equally impressive in the 105-pound division, recording four falls en route to the medal stand. After a semifinal setback via major decision, she secured third with a quick 0:56 pin over Thalia Belmontes (Basehor-Linwood).
Other notable contributors included:
Laney Daniel (3-5) at 100 pounds, who fought to a 7th-place finish with 7 team points.
Ari Morga Zaldivar (7-10) at 115 pounds, also placing 7th and scoring 14 points, including multiple medical forfeits.
Emely Hernandez Guzman (7-5) at 130 pounds, taking 8th with 11 points and several consolation wins by fall.
The team amassed points across 13 weight classes, with wrestlers like Zeilah Cifuentes, Diana Juarez, and Ruby Ordonez adding victories in the consolation brackets to bolster the squad's total.