Heading in its fourth year, Mexico girls wrestling not only has kids with experience but also state experience.

The Lady Bulldogs would like to see multiple girls qualify and medal for the state tournament this year and will have a couple this season that have wrestled at state. Future William Woods Owl Katie Bowen, who has qualified twice for state and medaled two years ago, is back in the 120-pound weight class after losing her junior season to injury and so is sophomore Alexus Johns at 235, who is ranked fifth in the state after qualifying for state and being first-team all-conference as a freshman.

Head coach Tony Senor said has those two back and several more that bring some wrestling experience, which should help all the newcomers to the team this season. He said the potential lineup only has two open spots, and the other weights are filled with a good group out of the total 14 wrestlers.

“We are a very mixed group of wrestlers but in a good way,” Senor said. “For the first time for our program, we have girls who have been wrestling for multiple years either during their middle school experience or from high school season. The younger girls are picking up techniques a lot faster than girls in the past because we have some many experienced girls helping them in practice. We are trying to grow as a team and keep every girl out on our roster.”

Some of the girls returning that stick out to Senor is senior Karisa Hayden, who has grown a lot in the offseason after being a first-year wrestler a year ago, at 155. Juniors Alizabeth Welch at 100, Tessa Higgins at 190 and Matty Tolbert at 235 bring past wrestling experience and so does sophomore Kiya Smith at 125. Katie Bowen’s younger sister, sophomore Abby Bowen, was one match shy of being a state qualifier as a first-year wrestler that also included a North Central Missouri Conference first-team spot.

“Our returning wrestlers will be instrumental for our success in duals, tournaments, at the NCMC Conference tournament, and at districts,” Senor said.

Senor describes the freshmen class as strong with Ava Scheiner at 145/155, Lilly Debo at 105, Alyssa Knight at 135, and Joslyn Clay at 110, the Lady Bulldogs also add first-year wrestlers junior Jashayla Johnson at 115 and seniors Hannah Bennett and Abby Seibert at 170.

“Much like our freshman group, they are going to play a big role in our success as a team in duals and in big time matches,” Senor said. “I expect to see them grow and learn a lot throughout the season.”

Senor said the goals, along with state qualification, include winning a NCMC title after the Lady Bulldogs were fourth a year ago and improving on last season’s 7-16 dual record.

Mexico started the season with tournaments in Wright City and Hallsville before going to the Polo Girls Dual Tournament on Dec. 9.