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Full Recap: First Ever Oklahoma Girls All-State

The first ever Oklahoma Girls All-State Wrestling Showcase took place Saturday at Tulsa Union High School and a huge crowd was treated to a spectacular event that included recognition of two outstanding women that paved the way for the current wrestlers, a “future stars” dual and, of course, some truly outstanding wrestling by the senior All-State wrestlers. 

Gerald Harris – Tulsa Union coach and organizer of all-state dual. Way to go Coach Harris for stepping up and organizing every aspect of this event. Interview by Mark Kirk.

Moore’s Rylie Osteen will go down in the record books as the first winner in the Girls All-State Wrestling Dual, but make no mistake about it, all of the girls that participated were winners in this very special historic event hosted by the dynamic husband and wife coaching duo of Gerald and Nicci Harris along with the Union Girls Booster Club and Hurricane Wrestling Academy

Girls All-State Champion Interviews:

Ki’Esha Cathey, Broken Arrow HS – All-State Champion Interview
Valeria Jimenez, Santa Fe South – All-State Champion Interview
Tanika Anderson, Will Rogers HS – All-State Champion Interview
Samara Markwardt, Will Rogers HS (Tricia Saunders HS Excellence Award winner) All-State Interview
Victoria Haggard, Putnam City HS – All-State Champion Interview
Emma Thompson, Bixby – All-State Champion Interview
Rylie Osteen, Moore HS – All-State Champion Interview
Joey Miller – Being recognized as a pioneer in Oklahoma girls wrestling
Cheyenne Stokes – being recognized today as one of pioneers of girls wrestling in Oklahoma

Prior to the dual, Will Roger’s impressive Samara Markwardt was presented with the Oklahoma Coaches Association Wrestler of the Year Award.  In 2021, a Girls All-State team was selected, but a dual was not held.  A few members from that team were in attendance and were recognized for their accomplishments. Girls recognized were Lilly Gough (Jay), Landon McCartney (Pawhuska), Alexis Miller (Wagoner), Allison Hynes (Broken Arrow) and Olivia Brown (Broken Arrow).  

Picture of Gerald Harris presenting Samara Markwardt with the Wrestler of the Year Award.

Well-deserved special recognition was given to two true pioneers in girls wrestling in Oklahoma as Cheyenne Stokes (Tulsa East Central) and Joey Miller (Woodward) were presented with Lifetime Service plaques.

Cheyenne Stokes – being recognized today as one of pioneers of girls wrestling in Oklahoma
Joey Miller – Being recognized as a pioneer in Oklahoma girls wrestling

Alternating between the “future stars” and All-State wrestlers, 17 competitive and highly entertaining matches were held.  “Future Stars” that participated included Kevin Harris, Dylan Harris, Willa Green, Espyn Holland, Cadence Slater, Marleigh Howell, Natalie Tyner, Addie Morse, Paizley Romine, Tiffany Breshears, Sayben Owen, Parker Martinez, AJ Waren, Kasia Wong, Claire Lancaster, Emily Beckley, Harley Miller and Ki’Morah Cathey.  

The Red Team won the All-State Dual by a 30-6 score with Victoria Haggard, Valeria Jimenez, Emma Thompson, Brynlee Good Voice, Tanika Anderson and Ki’Esha Cathey picking up wins for the Red Team while Rylie Osteen won by fall for the Blue Team.  Coaches for the Red Team were Hall of Fame Coach Greg Evans and Nicci Harris and coaches for the Blue Team were Karissa Avallone and Kailyn Ramos.

The easy winner for the “Match of the Night” Award went to the edge of your seat thriller between two very talented and evenly matched wrestlers.  Samara Markwardt and Madison Byroads battled throughout the match, with Byroads leading by one with time running out.  As she has made a habit of doing, Markwardt brough the roaring crowd to their feet as she spun around for the winning takedown with just seconds left in the match.  

The crowd at the first ever Oklahoma Girls All-State

The evening ended with the main event between Broken Arrow’s 3X state champion Ki’Esha Cathey and Norman’s Addyson Lindsey.  The two had split in previous matches and this match didn’t disappoint at the two battled to a tie through regulation.  Sent to sudden victory, Cathey hit for an explosive power double-leg with just three seconds to claim the win!

View some photos from the Oklahoma Girls All-State event from the Tulsa Union Girls Facebook page. Email [email protected] if you’d like your photos added from this event.

Following the dual, all of the All-State wrestlers were presented with All-State jackets, rings, travel bags, t-shirts and short.  

  • 114 Rylie Osteen (Moore) pinned Elisabeth Saldana (Anadarko), Fall 1:37
  • 120 Victoria Haggard (Putnam City) dec. Jaylee Jennings (Davis), 9-4
  • 126 Valeria Jimenez (Santa Fe South) dec. Rachel Dismuke (Moore), 10-4
  • 138 Samara Markwardt (Will Rogers) dec. Madison Byroads (Henryetta), 3-2
  • 150 Emma Thompson (Bixby) pinned Jolie Wilhite (Stillwell), Fall 2:10 
  • 185 Brynlee Good Voice (Wagoner) pinned Ashley Kinslow (Capitol Hill), Fall :45
  • 235 Tanika Anderson (Will Rogers) pinned Heidi Noisey (Moore), Fall 1:53
  • 235 Ki’Esha Cathey (Broken Arrow) dec. Addyson Lindsey (Norman), 2-0 SV

Thank you to Gerald and Nicci Harris along with the Union Girls Booster Club and everyone who donated, volunteered and helped make this a successful event.

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