SALINA — Iola junior Zoie Hesse became the first female silver medalist in Iola High School history after ending her run to the 190 lbs. state championship with a loss to two-time state champion senior Abby Brenn of Winfield.
Hesse (34-4) hoped to avenge multiple losses to Brenn earlier this season and seemed on track after taking an early lead on a takedown while being the aggressor for much of the match only for Brenn (23-2) to seize Hesse while she was momentarily off balance and held her down for a second-period pin.
“They were really good and really strong,” Hesse said. “I couldn’t just overpower them. I had to work my moves.”
Before the championship match, Hesse spent just over 3 minutes on the mat under the state tournament lights. She opened with a pin of Concordia junior Isabelle Alexander (21-18) at the 1:01-mark, then pinned Smokey Valley junior Livia Miller (26-13) 1:28 into the first period break into the semifinals, where she defeated Hoisington junior Nevaeh Graves (22-7) in 35 seconds.
“I noticed all she (Graves) did was tie up with her left hand,” Hesse said. “I thought I was going to have to make her tie up with her right if I want to do anything. She had me in a headlock, and tried to throw, so I just sat back and got her to her back.”
In the title match, Hesse jumped out to an early lead after a Hesse fly-bye allowed her to score an early takedown. As Hesse worked a head-and-shoulder to turn Brenn, once out of position, Brenn took advantage and scored a reverse to end the first period. Choosing to stand up for the second period, Hesse worked to score another takedown with an underhook, but Brenn countered with a Peterson as soon as she sensed Hesse was off-balance.
“I feel pretty good, but I’m frustrated because I left more on the mat than I should have,” Hesse said. “I’m glad I got second place. Last year, I didn’t place at all. I was just out of position, and it’s probably the last match we’ll ever wrestle against each other.”
Hesse thanked Iola coach John Taylor, as well as junior teammates Franklin Kerr and Rohan Springer for helping her prepare for the state tournament. She said Rohan’s strength made working with some of the state’s best wrestlers seem easier than what she faced last week in practice.
“Rohan helped me get through moves that normally don’t happen in a match. Addie (Wacker) was in my corner no matter what and John pushes me to be my best and knows what I can do and can’t do.”
In the coming weeks, Hesse will join sophomore 130 lbs. state champion Addilyn Wacker at the Kansas grand champion state tournament and make a run at the youth state tournament. Both tournaments disregard state classifications, which dramatically increases the difficulty for each competitor.
“Right now, next week, we have kids club districts and grand state Sunday,” Hesse said. “If I get past kids club districts, it’s kids club state, then softball. Most of the girls that are going to wrestle there I’ve wrestled, so I’ll know what they’ll do. The girls from other districts, I have no idea, so I’ll see when I get there. “
Loving, Rodriguez confident despite missing podium
Hesse and Wacker were not the only Iola Mustangs to make history Saturday. Thanks to the efforts of sophomore Kevon Loving and freshman Kailyn Rodriguez, the Iola Mustangs returned home without a wrestler going winless.
Making her freshman state debut at heavyweight, Rodriguez fell to fourth-place finisher Izzy Greer, an 18-12 junior from El Dorado. She rebounded in the consolation bracket opener after running a half-nelson for a pin of Perry-Lecompton junior Taylee Williams (6-11). In the consolation quarterfinals, Rodriguez fell by first-period pin to Winfield sophomore Rheya Cook (37-7), who went on to finish in third place.
“I’m just glad I was able to get a win,” Rodriguez said. “Being able to make it to state was nice, but being able to win at least one time also helped. It felt great and it felt like everybody had my back. I know I have improved since the beginning of the year. I’m just lucky to be here. Not many people get this opportunity.”
Loving was Iola’s only male competitor. He opened with a loss to No. 5 ranked Chapman junior Colton Bell (38-13) by 18-0 technical fall. Loving earned his first state tournament victory with a buzzer-beating escape while facing Hugotown junior Cooper Nix (25-15). Loving ended his year with a loss to No. 4 ranked Frontenac senior Cash Wilderman (36-11).
