Another historic “first” took place Wednesday night when the first Oklahoma Coaches Association Girls All-State Dual took place in the new and very impressive Broken Arrow Event Center.
While this was the first Girls All-State Dual sponsored by the Oklahoma Coaches Association (OCA), it was the third time a Girls All-State even has been held. Last year’s dual was hosted by the Oklahoma Wrestling Coaches Association (OWCA) and the 2022 event took place though the efforts of Gerald and Nicci Harris.
In a back-and-forth dual, the East team used falls by Kali Hayden and Stacey Nash in the last two weights to pull out a 39-33 win before a large and appreciative crowd. The East had seven wins on the night with Damiyah Smith, Elizabeth Cope, and Peighton Mullins also winning by fall, with Zoey Freeman winning by major decision and Destiny Jones winning by forfeit.
Following a forfeit win for Skiatook’s Destiny Jones, the West team won the next three to take a 15-6 lead. At the State Tournament, Cache’s C.J. Landry trailed 13-2 in a first round match before winning by fall in 5:53 on her way to the state finals. She copied that never give up attitude at the All-State dual, as she trailed 8-0 before reversing and pinning Bridget Bailey in 1:30.
Madison Holladay (Elk City) used a big 2nd period, scoring a takedown, near fall points and a reversal to earn a 12-8 win over Skyler Hunter from Morris. Noble’s 4X state placer Kurstin Howell didn’t waste any time, getting a quick takedown and winning by fall in 0:48 over Laila Mirza (Sand Springs).
Class 5A State Tournament OW Zoey Freeman (Bristow) picked up four team points for the East with a 14-2 major decision win over Ardmore’s Adyson Lewis. Using collegiate scoring of three point takedowns and four point near falls, Freeman racked up two takedowns and a 4-point near fall at the end the match and earn the win.
Miami’s Damiyah Smith turned in possibly the most impressive performance of the night to give the East another win. Smith scored three takedowns and a 4-point near fall, to lead 13-1 before pinning Putnam City state champion Alexis Ahtone in 2:37.
2X state champion and 2024 State Tournament OW, Shelby Kemp struck for two 1st period takedowns before pinning Glenpool’s Stella Edison in 1:01. Following her win, Kemp commented that she was “excited to make All-State and it was made extra special to be the part of first official All-State dual.” She went on to say “It was a very nice experience and I was excited to represent Moore one more time before starting college wrestling at William Jewell in Missouri.”
The two squads traded falls in the next four matches, starting with Elizabeth Cope (Sapulpa) jumping to an 11-0 lead before pinning Kaylan Herlong (Del City) in 2:51. El Reno’s 3X state champion and 4X state placer Kaylee Davis, who earlier in the evening, was recognized by the OWCA as the Class 6A Wrestler of the Year, wasted little time in earing a fall in 0:44 over Tahlequah’s Mandi Ingram.
Ft. Gibson’s Peigton Mullins (3X state champion and 4X finalist) earned the quickest fall of the night, pinning Harrah’s Natasha Orozco in 0:21. Following her match, Mullins stated she was “excited for the opportunity to wrestle in All-State match.” Then summed up her feelings towards wrestling very well, when she proclaimed “being a wrestler makes me a better person. It makes me a stronger human being to go out there, mentally and physically and be able to the do the things that need to be done.”
Elgin’s 2X state champion and 4X state placer, Symphony Veloz, gave the West a 33-28 lead when she jumped to a 7-0 lead before pinning Owasso’s Lizzy Peterson in 1:17.
Union’s Kali Hayden tied the dual with a dominating 17-1 tech fall win over Lexington’s Cilee Turner. Hayden scored two takedowns and two sets of 4-point near falls before ending the match midway through the 2nd period with her third takedown of the match.
The win by Hayden capped an incredible high school career for this personable, spirited girl with endless positive energy.
Just a few of Kali’s accomplishments include 2024 Fargo national champion (6-0 record with 5 falls and 1 tech fall in total time of 5:02!), 3X state champion, 3X Tulsa World Girls Wrestler of the Year, Tricia Saunders Award Winner, Jim Thorpe Award Winner and recently recognized by the OCA as the Oklahoma Female Athlete of the Year…
