Girls wrestling is showing signs of growth in Mexico.

In the program’s third year, the Lady Bulldogs welcome 20 kids to the mat this season for the biggest turnout in the program’s brief history. Among those 20, head coach Tony Senor said, are eight freshmen and four sophomores or many with little to no wrestling experience.

“We’re working on fundamentals, cleaning things up, teaching new girls how to wrestle,” Senor said. “The girls who are experienced are helping me out with that and also fine-tuning them as well.”

Kaylynn Pehle is a senior and has wrestled all three years for Senor so she expects to bring experience to the 110-115 weight range, junior Abbi Drew will reside in the 120-125 range as she aims to at least earn state qualification this season and junior Katie Bowen has made it to state each of the last two years. Sophomore Alizabeth Welch comes back for her second year, and Senor envisions her being helped out tremendously by wrestling at the 100 weight class this season.

“Having somebody at the 100-pound weight class is huge,” Senor said. “It’s actually rare to have someone at the 100-pound weight class so that’s going to be a bonus when we get into duals and into tournaments. I also have a freshman this year, Alexus Johns, she is going to be our heavyweight this year. I’ve never had a true heavyweight so to see what that does in a dual situation and in tournaments is going to be very beneficial.”

Senor said it is unfortunate to have already heard about two of his girls being ruled out for the season with injuries. Sophomore Matty Tolbert and junior Shelby Shramek will have to sit out, but Senior believes the girls he has healthy can meet high expectations this year.

“I would like to have anywhere from four to five state qualifiers and two to three medalists,” Senor said. “That’s huge. It’s a huge goal and I also expect to try to win conference — the NCMC conference team title. Last year, we got second as we were behind Fulton. I think we can give Fulton and Marshall – Marshall’s the frontrunner right now – a run for their money where we’re at with our girls in the weight classes.”

Senor said every bout in every meet and tournament leads to districts so it makes sense Mexico will see some tough competition in tournaments such as the Wonder Woman Tournament at Battle High School in Columbia and the Lady Mustangs Christmas Tournament in Eldon – both in December. The Lady Bulldogs will also host a tournament for the second straight year, the Brick City Classic Duals Tournament, in January.

“That’s going to help us build toward districts and be in that type of environment,” Senor said about the Wonder Woman, which he believes is one of the toughest in-season girls tournaments in the nation. “When it comes time for districts, our girls are going to be ready.”

The Lady Bulldogs began their season in mid-November at the Wright City Invite and has a tournament today in Marshfield prior to a duals meet Thursday in Marshall.