Kearney High School has once again solidified its reputation as Title Town. On Thursday, February 26, inside Mizzou Arena in Columbia, the Girls Wrestling team secured their fourth consecutive Class 1 state championship at the 2026 MSHSAA Wrestling Championships.

The Bulldogs dominated the competition, amassing 130.5 team points—nearly 20 points ahead of second-place Ste. Genevieve—demonstrating their status as one of Missouri’s premier wrestling programs.

This remarkable run marks four straight Class 1 state titles from 2023 to 2026. Contributing to this achievement, six Bulldogs reached the podium—a program record: Zolah Williams (105) and Carli Vargas (190) both took home individual state championships, Myla Woolridge (110) finished as the runner-up, Bella Wenzel (145) placed fourth, and Riley Walker (115) and Aida Appenfeller (140) each claimed fifth place.

Head Coach Nick Ward praised his athletes, noting, “The Bulldogs came out hot and never cooled off. In the biggest rounds, they delivered the bonus points and clutch moments that separate champions from everyone else.”

All eight state qualifiers represented Kearney with exceptional class, toughness, and a team-first mentality, making the community proud. The coaching staff, led by Head Coach Ward and supported by Varsity Assistant Coaches Cami Aebersold, Lexie Cole, Caleb Grant Dixon, Eric Marshall, Brett Williams, and Junior Varsity Assistant Caleb Grant Dixon, played an integral role in the team’s continued success.

The Bulldogs’ legacy continues to grow as they celebrate their fourth straight state championship.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.