The MSHSAA Class 2 District 3 Girls Wrestling Tournament held at Ozark High School, featured fierce competition as wrestlers from across southwest Missouri vied for spots in the upcoming state championships. Local squads from Carthage, Webb City, Joplin, and Neosho delivered strong performances, with several athletes securing top-four finishes and advancing to state.
Carthage emerged as a standout among the focused schools, claiming a district title and multiple podium spots. Kaylee James dominated at 140 pounds, improving her stellar record to 47-1 with a quick fall over Webb City's Sierra Devore (32-8) in just 1:44 to capture first place. James's pin highlighted her strength and technique in a highly anticipated finals matchup against a tough freshman opponent.
Carthage added more depth with Irish Lee earning third at 145 pounds. Lee (44-7) pinned Webb City's Kinley Sinclair (21-10) in 1:38 during the consolation finals, securing her spot at states. Hadley White also placed fourth at 105 pounds, falling in a close 6-2 decision to Nixa's Hanna Egley in the third-place match.
Webb City had a solid showing with multiple wrestlers reaching the podium. Sierra Devore took second at 140 after a tough loss to James in the finals. At 145, Kinley Sinclair placed fourth after the pin by Lee. Maddie Barchak (32-6) earned fourth at 155, dropping a fall to Nixa's Natalie Edmisson in the third-place bout. Mackenzie Booth rounded out Webb City's placers with fourth at 235, falling quickly to Willard's Desaray Wise. Tatum Christensen also took fourth at 135, pinned by Republic's Gabby Shanks.
Neosho secured a notable third-place finish from Aryah Moore at 170 pounds. Moore (29-18) won a thrilling sudden-victory overtime match 5-2 over Camdenton's Mila Krenzel to claim bronze and advance to states, providing a bright spot for the Wildcats in the upper weights.
These top-four finishers from the Carthage, Webb City, and Neosho programs now advance to the MSHSAA Class 2 Girls State Wrestling Championships, set for February 27-28 at Mizzou Arena in Columbia.