With the holidays in full swing, the Carthage Tiger men’s and women’s wrestling teams took advantage of Christmas break to prepare for the upcoming grind leading to the district and state tournaments in February.
The ladies traveled to Parkview High School in Springfield for the Lady Vikings Tournament on December 30-31. Walking away with an 11th place finish and three individual medalists, the Tigers saw another successful weekend of competition against teams from Webb City, Fair Grove, Bolivar, Strafford, Kickapoo, Nixa, Parkview, Rolla, Pleasant Hill, Camdenton, Branson, Glendale, Reeds Spring, Monett, Warrensburg, Ozark, Rogersville, Carl Junction and Aurora.
105 lb. Hadley White brought home a 6th place medal on the day, besting opponents Lexie Smith (Webb City) and Carlie Crider (Fair Grove) by fall before losing in the third round the Kickapoo’s Hannah Herrera by technical fall. Lexi Lilly of Bolivar pinned White in the quarterfinal round, but Hadley rebounded with a pin of her own over Daisia Corwin of Strafford. Lillian Moore of Branson and Zoiee Ward of Nixa ultimately delivered pins to White in the consolation semifinals and 5th place match, resulting in a 6th place finish overall.
Powerhouses Kaylee James and Irish Lee delivered a one-two punch at 140 and 145 lbs., besting all other girls in their weight classes for first place finishes. With the exception of a fourth round bye, James pinned her way through the tournament, humbling opponents from Rolla, Glendale, Warrensburg, Fair Grove, Sedalia Smith-Cotton and Webb City. Not to be outdone, Lee followed in her practice partner’s footsteps with a first round bye and falls in every round after against Parkview, Ray-Pec, Webb City, Aurora and Ozark.
The men hosted the North/South Dual Tournament at Carthage High School, matching teams from Carthage, Nixa, Neosho, Ozark and Willard (South) to duals with Grain Valley, Liberty North, Platte County, Lee’s Summit and Staley (North) in a powerhouse Class 4 matchup. Ozark walked away as the tournament champs, narrowly beating Neosho’s point total by two. Nixa rounded out the top three and Staley came in fourth. Carthage struggled with no wins on the day, due in no small part to three open weight classes giving up 18 points immediately. Coach Nate Kelly was happy with the way many of the wrestlers stepped up and fought through their individual matches, stating that they had a lot of ground to cover with the open weights. Kelly also thanked the JV wrestlers for their help running and smooth and efficient tournament.
Girls @ Lady Vikings Tournament
Parkview High School, Springfield MO
December 30-31, 2025
11th Place
Medalists:
Hadley White 6th
Kaylee James 1st
Irish Lee 1st
105
Hadley White (20-12) placed 6th and scored 14.0 team points.
Round 1 – Hadley White (Carthage) 20-12 won by fall over Lexie Smith (Webb City) 10-10 (Fall 4:35)
Round 2 – Hadley White (Carthage) 20-12 won by fall over Carlie Crider (Fair Grove) 0-4 (Fall 1:51)
Round 3 – Hannah Herrera (Kickapoo) 24-0 won by tech fall over Hadley White (Carthage) 20-12 (TF-1.5 1:14 (17-1))
Quarterfinal – Lexi Lilly (Bolivar) 16-1 won by fall over Hadley White (Carthage) 20-12 (Fall 5:22)
Cons. Round 2 – Hadley White (Carthage) 20-12 won by fall over Daisia Corwin (Strafford) 6-3 (Fall 3:52)
Cons. Semi – Lillian Moore (Branson) 14-6 won by fall over Hadley White (Carthage) 20-12 (Fall 2:59)
5th Place Match – Zoiee Ward (Nixa) 20-11 won by fall over Hadley White (Carthage) 20-12 (Fall 3:44)
110
Ari Morga Zaldivar (12-14) placed 8th and scored 9.0 team points.
Round 1 – Ari Morga Zaldivar (Carthage) 12-14 won by fall over Emily Childress (Parkview) 6-9 (Fall 1:28)
Round 2 – Hailey Lux (Rolla) 18-10 won by fall over Ari Morga Zaldivar (Carthage) 12-14 (Fall 0:53)
Round 3 – Layla Palmer (Pleasant Hill) 22-5 won by fall over Ari Morga Zaldivar (Carthage) 12-14 (Fall 1:32)
Round 4 – Paityn Becerril (Nixa) 8-13 won by fall over Ari Morga Zaldivar (Carthage) 12-14 (Fall 4:42)
Round 5 – Ari Morga Zaldivar (Carthage) 12-14 won by medical forfeit over Avary Austin (Fair Grove) 0-1 (M. For.)
Quarterfinal – Brooklynn Legg (Camdenton) 14-8 won by injury default over Ari Morga Zaldivar (Carthage) 12-14 (Inj. 1:22)
Cons. Round 2 – Izabella Macari (Webb City) 6-16 won by medical forfeit over Ari Morga Zaldivar (Carthage) 12-14 (M. For.)
7th Place Match – Emma Contreras (Branson) 9-14 won by medical forfeit over Ari Morga Zaldivar (Carthage) 12-14 (M. For.)
115
Sairi Flores Lopez (5-9) placed 13th and scored 4.0 team points.
Round 1 – Amiah Peterson (Pleasant Hill) 15-5 won by fall over Sairi Flores Lopez (Carthage) 5-9 (Fall 1:06)
Round 2 – Alilia Hiteshew (Glendale) 14-8 won by fall over Sairi Flores Lopez (Carthage) 5-9 (Fall 0:36)
Round 3 – Cynthia Guzman (Reeds Spring) 2-3 won by fall over Sairi Flores Lopez (Carthage) 5-9 (Fall 2:39)
Cons. Round 1 – Sairi Flores Lopez (Carthage) 5-9 won by fall over Gabriella Harman (Glendale JV) 1-4 (Fall 2:44)
13th Place Match – Sairi Flores Lopez (Carthage) 5-9 won by fall over Neveah Friely (Webb City) 8-13 (Fall 3:38)
120
Zeilah Cifuentes (15-17) placed 12th and scored 6.0 team points.
Round 1 – Zeilah Cifuentes (Carthage) 15-17 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 2 – Marlett Rosales (Branson) 18-5 won by fall over Zeilah Cifuentes (Carthage) 15-17 (Fall 0:39)
Round 3 – Lyla Smith (Glendale) 16-6 won by fall over Zeilah Cifuentes (Carthage) 15-17 (Fall 1:35)
Round 4 – Zeilah Cifuentes (Carthage) 15-17 won by fall over Guadalupe Rodriguez (Monett) 6-13 (Fall 2:42)
Round 5 – Zeilah Cifuentes (Carthage) 15-17 won by fall over Ke X (Caroline) Li (Branson JV) 5-12 (Fall 3:27)
Cons. Round 1 – Ivy Nobis (Webb City) 14-9 won by fall over Zeilah Cifuentes (Carthage) 15-17 (Fall 2:36)
11th Place Match – Ellia Heenan (Pleasant Hill) 9-9 won by major decision over Zeilah Cifuentes (Carthage) 15-17 (MD 16-3)
125
Diana Juarez (12-13) placed 12th and scored 6.0 team points.
Round 1 – Victoria Rosales (Branson) 16-4 won by fall over Diana Juarez (Carthage) 12-13 (Fall 0:28)
Round 2 – Diana Juarez (Carthage) 12-13 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 3 – Diana Juarez (Carthage) 12-13 won by fall over Kaydence Dodd (Fair Grove) 1-4 (Fall 3:10)
Round 4 – Kaitlyn Parra (McDonald County) 12-4 won by fall over Diana Juarez (Carthage) 12-13 (Fall 1:38)
Round 5 – Diana Juarez (Carthage) 12-13 won by fall over Chevelle Alderson (Strafford) 4-12 (Fall 1:21)
Cons. Round 1 – Kinsley Wilson (Camdenton) 8-11 won by fall over Diana Juarez (Carthage) 12-13 (Fall 0:35)
11th Place Match – Brooke Fuller (Reeds Spring) 4-3 won by fall over Diana Juarez (Carthage) 12-13 (Fall 0:19)
130
Emely Hernandez Guzman (12-6) placed 24th and scored 4.0 team points.
Round 1 – Emely Hernandez Guzman (Carthage) 12-6 won by fall over LaLisa Whiteside (Parkview) 7-9 (Fall 1:41)
Round 2 – Cerissa Holsey (Warrensburg) 8-8 won by decision over Emely Hernandez Guzman (Carthage) 12-6 (Dec 6-0)
Round 3 – Stella Wheeler (Ozark) 14-10 won by medical forfeit over Emely Hernandez Guzman (Carthage) 12-6 (M. For.)
Round 4 – Emely Hernandez Guzman (Carthage) 12-6 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 5 – Fina Wilke (Rogersville) 15-5 won by medical forfeit over Emely Hernandez Guzman (Carthage) 12-6 (M. For.)
135
Aubrey Jewett (7-15) placed 17th and scored 6.0 team points.
Round 1 – Case Parnell (Aurora) 21-2 won by fall over Aubrey Jewett (Carthage) 7-15 (Fall 0:44)
Round 2 – Kiley Spencer (Carl Junction) 12-10 won by fall over Aubrey Jewett (Carthage) 7-15 (Fall 0:36)
Round 3 – Aubrey Jewett (Carthage) 7-15 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 4 – Kylie Hawkins (Rolla) 16-8 won by fall over Aubrey Jewett (Carthage) 7-15 (Fall 1:03)
Round 5 – Xaila Neighbors (Fair Grove) 3-4 won by fall over Aubrey Jewett (Carthage) 7-15 (Fall 0:23)
Cons. Round 1 – Aubrey Jewett (Carthage) 7-15 won by fall over Kaylin Samuel (Kickapoo) 1-10 (Fall 2:32)
17th Place Match – Aubrey Jewett (Carthage) 7-15 won by fall over Mackenzie Neckermann (Rolla JV) 4-10 (Fall 2:09)
140
Kaylee James (32-1) placed 1st and scored 40.0 team points.
Round 1 – Kaylee James (Carthage) 32-1 won by fall over Lyndon Gott (Rolla JV) 19-12 (Fall 1:22)
Round 2 – Kaylee James (Carthage) 32-1 won by fall over Katelyn Hester (Glendale) 6-9 (Fall 0:42)
Round 3 – Kaylee James (Carthage) 32-1 won by fall over Frankie Nelson (Warrensburg) 3-11 (Fall 1:09)
Round 4 – Kaylee James (Carthage) 32-1 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 5 – Kaylee James (Carthage) 32-1 won by fall over Brylee Mallard (Fair Grove) 4-3 (Fall 0:32)
Quarterfinal – Kaylee James (Carthage) 32-1 won by fall over Kylie Guererro (Smith-Cotton) 9-5 (Fall 0:54)
Semifinal – Kaylee James (Carthage) 32-1 won by fall over Sierra Devore (Webb City) 18-3 (Fall 1:16)
1st Place Match – Kaylee James (Carthage) 32-1 won by fall over Candace Gibbs (Rolla) 15-12 (Fall 0:52)
145
Irish Lee (25-3) placed 1st and scored 36.0 team points.
Round 1 – Irish Lee (Carthage) 25-3 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 2 – Irish Lee (Carthage) 25-3 won by fall over Adrienne Webb (Parkview) 3-10 (Fall 0:52)
Round 3 – Irish Lee (Carthage) 25-3 won by fall over Bailee Emerson (Raymore-Peculiar) 6-12 (Fall 1:11)
Quarterfinal – Irish Lee (Carthage) 25-3 won by fall over Gracelyn Cook (Webb City) 14-9 (Fall 3:43)
Semifinal – Irish Lee (Carthage) 25-3 won by fall over Jasmine Koehler (Aurora) 14-4 (Fall 3:42)
1st Place Match – Irish Lee (Carthage) 25-3 won by fall over Riley Ridinger (Ozark) 15-10 (Fall 1:01)
155
Ruby Ordonez (3-13) placed 14th and scored 2.0 team points.
Round 1 – Eden Lair (Fair Grove) 5-2 won by fall over Ruby Ordonez (Carthage) 3-13 (Fall 0:51)
Round 2 – Kymalia Brevett (Rolla) 12-3 won by fall over Ruby Ordonez (Carthage) 3-13 (Fall 0:50)
Round 3 – Isabella Yartz (Reeds Spring) 5-6 won by fall over Ruby Ordonez (Carthage) 3-13 (Fall 1:00)
Cons. Round 1 – Ruby Ordonez (Carthage) 3-13 won by fall over Gracie Williams (Aurora) 1-11 (Fall 4:46)
13th Place Match – Ada Phillips (Carl Junction) 4-7 won by fall over Ruby Ordonez (Carthage) 3-13 (Fall 0:52)
170
Arianna Medrano (13-4) placed 24th and scored 4.0 team points.
Round 1 – Addison Montgomery (Rolla) 13-10 won by fall over Arianna Medrano (Carthage) 13-4 (Fall 4:21)
Round 2 – Arianna Medrano (Carthage) 13-4 won by fall over Maggie Johnson (Fair Grove) 1-5 (Fall 0:59)
Round 3 – Arianna Medrano (Carthage) 13-4 received a bye () (Bye)
Round 4 – Aubrey Sundlie (Ozark) 9-8 won by medical forfeit over Arianna Medrano (Carthage) 13-4 (M. For.)
Round 5 – Kyndall Jones (Belton) 23-15 won by medical forfeit over Arianna Medrano (Carthage) 13-4 (M. For.)
The boys team hosted the North/South Dual Tournament last week. We started each dual giving up 18 points due to opens, but the guys still stepped up and wrestled through some tough individual matches. I’m also proud of how well the tournament ran, mostly thanks to the help of our JV wrestlers. Congratulations to the North division winner, Ozark, who won by only 2 team points.
Carthage North/South Dual Tournament
December 30, 2025
Lee’s Summit – Loss 30-52
106: Leighton Butterworth (CARTHAGE) over Connor Mcvey (LEESUM) (Fall 2:20)
113: Drake Harley (LEESUM) over (CARTHAGE) (For.)
120: Jacob Ennis (LEESUM) over (CARTHAGE) (For.)
126: Adam Jones (CARTHAGE) over Caden Buhmen (LEESUM) (Fall 3:39)
132: Matthew Sartin (LEESUM) over (CARTHAGE) (For.)
138: Luke Nally (LEESUM) over Douglas Ball (CARTHAGE) (TF 17-0 4:00)
144: Jace Nichols (CARTHAGE) over Donovon Walton (LEESUM) (Fall 3:13)
150: Tristan Morgan (LEESUM) over Dylan (Michael) Evans (CARTHAGE) (Fall 0:48)
157: Austin Cornett (LEESUM) over Kayden Hole (CARTHAGE) (Fall 1:10)
165: Robby Desmond (LEESUM) over Jase Sexauer (CARTHAGE) (Fall 1:22)
175: Lenny Escobar (CARTHAGE) over Wyatt Kinnan (LEESUM) (Fall 3:23)
190: Grant James (LEESUM) over Joshua Hill (CARTHAGE) (TF 15-0 2:09)
215: Steve Serious (CARTHAGE) over Zander McGuire (LEESUM) (Inj. [time])
285: Hayden Hinkle (LEESUM) over Dom Kanas (CARTHAGE) (Fall 0:49)
Liberty North – Loss 22-55
113: Will Bolling (LIBNORTH) over (CARTHAGE) (For.)
120: Noah Perez (LIBNORTH) over (CARTHAGE) (For.)
126: Liam Boyd (LIBNORTH) over Adam Jones (CARTHAGE) (MD 18-8)
132: Wyatt Bolling (LIBNORTH) over (CARTHAGE) (For.)
138: Douglas Ball (CARTHAGE) over (LIBNORTH) (For.)
144: Brian SeoaneCancino (LIBNORTH) over Jace Nichols (CARTHAGE) (Dec 4-2)
150: Brayden Hennegin (LIBNORTH) over Dylan (Michael) Evans (CARTHAGE) (Fall 1:15)
157: Kayden Hole (CARTHAGE) over Jack Graue (LIBNORTH) (Fall 3:12)
165: Nicholas Sanders (LIBNORTH) over Jase Sexauer (CARTHAGE) (Fall 1:21)
175: Wyatt True (LIBNORTH) over Lenny Escobar (CARTHAGE) (Fall 3:33)
190: Spencer Deuschle (LIBNORTH) over Joshua Hill (CARTHAGE) (Fall 1:22)
215: Steve Serious (CARTHAGE) over (LIBNORTH) (For.)
285: Luke Dale (LIBNORTH) over Dom Kanas (CARTHAGE) (Fall 1:19)
106: Leighton Butterworth (CARTHAGE) over Johnny Caballero (LIBNORTH) (MD 14-3)
Platte County – Loss 14-64
120: Gabriel Wittel (PLATTECO) over (CARTHAGE) (For.)
126: Adam Jones (CARTHAGE) over Liam Franksen (PLATTECO) (MD 16-5)
132: Ian Giese (PLATTECO) over (CARTHAGE) (For.)
138: Douglas Ball (CARTHAGE) over Kaiden Byng (PLATTECO) (Fall 1:38)
144: Chase Hulett (PLATTECO) over Jace Nichols (CARTHAGE) (Fall 2:00)
150: JT Diercks (PLATTECO) over Dylan (Michael) Evans (CARTHAGE) (Fall 0:44)
157: Grant Fadler (PLATTECO) over Kayden Hole (CARTHAGE) (TF 20-3 4:28)
165: Hank Marriott (PLATTECO) over Jase Sexauer (CARTHAGE) (Fall 1:23)
175: Jack Johnson (PLATTECO) over Lenny Escobar (CARTHAGE) (TF 19-1 4:48)
190: Cooper Hammontree (PLATTECO) over Anthony Smith (CARTHAGE) (Fall 0:52)
215: Steve Serious (CARTHAGE) over Phin McMain (PLATTECO) (MD 11-0)
285: Max Shuey (PLATTECO) over Dom Kanas (CARTHAGE) (Fall 1:04)
106: Lennon Fitzpartick (PLATTECO) over Leighton Butterworth (CARTHAGE) (Fall 5:52)
113: Cade Crawford (PLATTECO) over (CARTHAGE) (For.)
Staley – Loss 22-56
126: Adam Jones (CARTHAGE) over (STALEY) (For.)
132: Bodie Fichter (STALEY) over (CARTHAGE) (For.)
138: Douglas Ball (CARTHAGE) over Wyatt Cullen (STALEY) (MD 10-0)
144: Jackson Atherton (STALEY) over Jace Nichols (CARTHAGE) (Fall 1:36)
150: Miller Sipes (STALEY) over Dylan (Michael) Evans (CARTHAGE) (Fall 0:28)
157: Jameson Warren (STALEY) over Kayden Hole (CARTHAGE) (TF 15-0 2:00)
165: Jase Sexauer (CARTHAGE) over (STALEY) (For.)
175: Lenny Escobar (CARTHAGE) over Dylan Moore (STALEY) (Fall 5:52)
190: Alejandro Contreras (STALEY) over Anthony Smith (CARTHAGE) (Fall 0:33)
215: JJ Reed (STALEY) over Steve Serious (CARTHAGE) (Dec 7-2)
285: Noah Cooper (STALEY) over Dom Kanas (CARTHAGE) (Fall 0:36)
106: Joseph Howse (STALEY) over Leighton Butterworth (CARTHAGE) (Fall 0:15)
113: Vienney Nakaabale (STALEY) over (CARTHAGE) (For.)
120: Rylan Shaw (STALEY) over (CARTHAGE) (For.)
Grain Valley – Loss 16-53
132: Justin King (GRAINVLY) over (CARTHAGE) (For.)
138: Zachary Bleess (GRAINVLY) over Douglas Ball (CARTHAGE) (TF 17-1 2:46)
144: Jace Nichols (CARTHAGE) over Kobe Hughes (GRAINVLY) (MD 18-10)
150: Brody Braa (GRAINVLY) over Dylan (Michael) Evans (CARTHAGE) (Fall 2:43)
157: Brodie Davis (GRAINVLY) over Kayden Hole (CARTHAGE) (Fall 1:06)
165: Sjoeren Aumua (GRAINVLY) over Jase Sexauer (CARTHAGE) (Fall 1:27)
175: Lenny Escobar (CARTHAGE) over (GRAINVLY) (For.)
190: Grant Burd (GRAINVLY) over Joshua Hill (CARTHAGE) (Fall 5:37)
215: Steve Serious (CARTHAGE) over Alec Fenstermaker (GRAINVLY) (Fall 1:14)
285: Maui Sua (GRAINVLY) over Dom Kanas (CARTHAGE) (Fall 0:16)
106: Kaeler Byrd (GRAINVLY) over Leighton Butterworth (CARTHAGE) (Fall 0:30)
113: Double Forfeit
120: Double Forfeit
126: Tyler Jones (GRAINVLY) over Adam Jones (CARTHAGE) (Fall 0:55)
