By Roger Sims, rsims@linncountyjournal.com
In her second appearance at the Class 4A State Championship tournament, Prairie View junior Shawna Case, improved over last year's fourth-place finish by putting three consecutive wins together to reach the match to determine the 155-pound champion.
She won her first round by on an 8-6 decision and scored pins in her next two rounds on Friday to assure her of at least a second-place finish. However, she was pinned in the final match, earning a second-place medal and finishing the year with a 37-8 record.
"Ms. Case has the most state experience coming off her fourth place finish as a sophomore," said girls head coach Joe Cullor in an email. "Shawna snatching victory from the clutches of defeat was the highlight. She was close to losing to prelim matches before the finals but fought off her back to survive and come back and pin her opponents. This did not work for her in the finals, though."
Case was a preseason favorite in the 155-pound class in the rankings by the Kansas State High School Athletic Association (KSHSAA), which cited her 24-12 and strong showing in tournaments beginning with her freshman year.
"State was a learning experience for some, and a last ride for others," said Cullor. "Kimmy Eastwood and Becca Lewis wrap up their careers as Buffalo wrestlers. First-time qualifiers Lexi Freeman, Lauren Steenburgen, and Michaela Miller have learned a great deal from the upperclassmen. Michaela lost in the blood round to get into medal, and it was a huge accomplishment for her to win two matches at state as a first-year wrestler.
Here is how the other matches played out for other team members:
Senior Kimberlee Eastwood, 145 pounds, lost by a major decision in round one and was pinned in her second match. The senior ends her high school career with a regional medal, a trip to state, and a 20-12 record.
Rebecca Lewis, 170 pounds, was pinned in her first match and lost a tie-breaker in her second round. A senior, Lewis' high school career ends with a regional medal, a trip to state and a 19-20 record.
Sophomore Michaela Miller, 235 pounds, lost her first match by a fall but pinned her opponents in her second and third rounds. She lost on fall in her fourth match and will have next year' to add a state medal to her collection. She ends the season with nine wins and 21 losses.
Sophomore Lexi Freeman, 130 pounds, lost her first round by a fall and was pinned in the second match for a loss, ending her run for a state medal with a 13-7 record.
Freshman Lauren Steenburgen, 140 pounds, lost by a technical fall in her first round and lost on a 4-2 decision in her second round, ending her season with a 23-23 record.
"I feel like they made some lifelong memories this season that they can look back on and smile," Cullor added. "In the end I hope the girls learned life lessons about how to push through the hard parts of life and, if you do not reach your goals, adapt to change the outcome.
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