The Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association released its first round of top six rankings, and a few area grapplers made the cut.
Iola wrestlers Addilyn Wacker and Zoie Hesse, as well as Humboldt wrestlers Taevyn Baylor, Gabriela Vargas-Garcia and Jordan Hency received preseason top six rankings, which also included ranking Humboldt as the eighth best Class 3-1A team in Kansas.
After making history as Iola High School’s first female state wrestling medalist, sophomore Addilyn Wacker received the top ranking from the KWCA in the 130-pound weight class. Wacker took third place last March and finished the season 41-10 as a freshman. Although honored with the recognition, Wacker said she was business as usual as she prepares for the first day of practice next week.
“I’m definitely feeling pressure to keep my spot but I’m going to work hard to keep it,” Wacker said. “I’m definitely a lot more confident. I’ve wrestled for a long time, and I never felt that kind of confidence. This year, I’m feeling it. I’ve been practicing on my own and doing extra work to get me further.”
After entering the 2A state tournament as the top seed, and finishing fourth overall, Humboldt senior Taevyn Baylor seemed a sure bet to make the KWCA top six preseason rankings in the 155-pound weight class. She ended last season with a 40-5 record as a junior.
Humboldt sophomore Gabriela Vargas-Garcia also received a KWCA top six ranking as a heavyweight. Vargas-Garcia ended the year with a 28-12 record while qualifying for state as a freshman. Fellow sophomore teammate Jordan Hency is the lightest wrestler to make the KWCA’s top six. The 115-pounder qualified for state with a 20-18 record but fell to a trio of upperclassmen while debuting on the grandest stage.
One name no area coach was surprised to see make the top six was Iola junior 190-pounder Zoie Hesse. Hesse ended her season 29-7 after going 1-2 at state with a pin in the consolation round. She later received all-state status from the Kansas Softball Coaches Association.
