It has been a year of accomplishment, excitement and intrigue for the Liberty Christian, Warrenton and Wright City high school programs and their respective student-athletes.

The events of 2025 won’t soon be forgotten not only by those who lived them, but by everyone close to the newsmakers who cheered them on.

Therefore, the Warren County Record offers a look back at the top 10 stories of the past year as they appeared in these pages. 

Girls wrestlers bring home state medals

At the end of February, Wright City’s Sadie Sehnert returned home with some shiny hardware. After competing in the Class 1 girls' State Wrestling Championships, the junior medaled, finishing fifth. 

For Sehnert, the state competition marked her second appearance at the tournament and her first state medal. 

“I was making sure I go to practice every day, putting in extra work outside of practice, and just working as hard as I can,” Sehnert said. 

Sehnert expressed pride in herself after noticing her growth this season. Reflecting on last year, she remembered falling to the eventual 130-class state champion, Emily Bischoff of Odessa, in 30 seconds. 

This year, the result was the same, but Sehnert battled for three periods until losing by a 14-1 major decision to Bischoff. 

“She did really well. She has stepped up, she’s consistent, and she’s worked all the way to the buzzer dollar matches,” Wright City coach Fred Ross said. 

Sehnert acknowledged she had some nerves coming into the tournament but after knowing she was going to medal at the end of the first day, they subsided.

“I knew I was medaling either way. The difference between fifth and sixth is not like first versus second, so I was not as nervous and more relaxed,” Sehnert said. 

For Warrenton, Allison Vacek and Alexis Ruff finished their seasons by bringing home medals.

Vacek, a junior, medaled for the first time, finishing sixth at 155 pounds during the Class 1 girls State Wrestling Championships. 

She joined Ruff just a day later as the first two state medalists in the history of the Warrenton girls wrestling program. 

“It’s a goal that I didn’t realize I would have my freshman year,” Vacek said. “Then last year, looking at the board, I thought I could make history for this program. Being able to do it with my teammate was even cooler and I’m so proud of her.” 

Ruff secured second place at 120 pounds. 

“I honestly was not expecting this. I am just so thankful and overwhelmed,” Ruff said. 

Her path to the championship match was a testament to her grit. After winning both of her first-day matches, Ruff advanced. She battled through all three periods with her first three opponents and won by either a decision or major decision. 

She fell in the championship bout against Fulton’s Mackinzie Brewer. 

Burle honors brother, raises Down Syndrome awareness

Duchesne senior pitcher/outfielder Jack Burle says it’s easy to put into words just what his little brother, Xavier, brings to all those whose paths he happens to cross.

Burle said that Xavier, born with Down Syndrome, is a beacon of happiness everywhere he goes.

“Xavier brings joy to everyone he meets,” Burle said.

That’s why Burle said he felt the need to do something to honor his little brother – and to do it on March 21, which is observed as World Down Syndrome Awareness Day.

It just so happened that the day also fell on the opening day of a season-opening event featuring eight high school baseball teams from around the region. Before the start of the season, Burle created informative gift bags that included rubber bracelets for members of each of the eight teams to raise awareness of Down syndrome.

Down Syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by the triplication, or trisomy, of the 21st chromosome.

“I came up with the idea of Down Syndrome awareness bracelets about three weeks before the season started,” Burle said. “This was important to me because I have a brother who has Down Syndrome, and I have seen the daily challenges he faces. I wanted to bring awareness so everyone could be better educated and be more aware of the condition.”

Warrenton senior catcher Austin Haas, who plays for Warrenton baseball coach Eric Burle, who is also Xavier and Jack’s dad, said that being part of the event and seeing how touching and inspirational Jack's tribute to his brother was.

He added that being able to be a small part of the event, to learn more about Down syndrome and to lend his support meant a lot to him.

“It was something special, it was incredible how much he cares and supports his family,” Haas said. “The note within the gift bag was inspirational, showing the whole team how truly smart he is. The way he was able to express his thoughts with all of these teams shows how smart and amazing Xavier is. The words he shared with us and the bracelets within the gift bags meant so much, he truly opened my eyes on how amazing Xavier is. So, it was an incredible thing to do to support his family, I’m super fortunate to be able to support as well.”

The elder Burle said that there was a deep sense of pride in what his son accomplished that day, and every day, for that matter.

“First of all, I was very impressed that he was able to do this,” Eric Burle said. “I am extremely proud of Jack and we are lucky to have amazing and thoughtful kids that care for each other and others.”

Meyer is Liberty Christian’s first state track champion

It was nearly 10 p.m. on May 10 and Liberty Christian Academy’s Tommy Meyer remained with four other competitors in the high jump at the MCSAA Division 1 track and field championships.

One by one, each athlete cleared 5 feet, 10 inches. When it was Meyer’s turn, he rose to the challenge, clearing six feet with ease. But so did Jacob Cochran from Rivers of Life Christian.

Now, it was down to just two – Meyer and Cochran.

“I just kept praying in that moment,” Meyer said. 

With eyes fixed on the high jump pit, Meyer pushed himself to new heights, clearing 6-2 — a personal best. Cochran followed and matched the height on his final attempt. The two battled back and forth but neither could clear 6-4.

However, Meyer’s victory was already sealed. He had cleared the highest mark with fewer attempts. 

Amazingly enough, Meyer never had a second thought of the high jump months prior as this was his first season in the sport. 

“It was definitely a little rough in the beginning of the season, but (Smith) taught me the technique really well and that helped me improve faster and more efficiently,” Meyer said. “I was able to learn quicker than normal and it was all put together thanks to Mr. Smith.” 

Meyer’s win was historic, not just for him but for the entire program. In the inaugural season of Liberty Christian’s track and field team, he became their first-ever state champion. 

“It was really exciting,” Meyer said. “I told (coach Doug Smith) that day I was going to clear 6-2, so I wanted to make sure that happened.” 

Kirn hits century mark in goals

Entering her final season with the Wright City girls’ soccer team Paige Kirn owned a lofty goal-scoring total of 53.

Her 48 goals nearly doubled that tally and allowed her to finish her high school career during the spring with 101 career tallies.

“Thinking back on it, we were talking if I should push for 75 or 100, and I felt that 100 was overshooting, but now, it’s kind of the new goal,” said Kirn late in the season. “I think throughout the season, we realized I was able to push myself further.” 

While Kirn may be the one scoring, she’s quick to credit her coaches and teammates. 

“They’ve been a big supporter for me throughout all four years, but especially last year and this year. They have pushed me and helped me with motivation and talks,” Kirn said. “There was a game a few weeks ago where I struggled and missed my PK, and they helped me get back on track.” 

Coach Jake Wallace praised Kirn’s athletic ability but said her leadership and team-first mindset are what truly set her apart. 

“She cares a lot. Even in games where the score is close, she is making plays to other people, getting other people shots and trying to get other people goals,” Wallace said. “She’s not in it for herself; she’s in it for the team.” 

Liberty Christian girls soccer takes second in state

Even though his Liberty Christian girls' soccer team did not take home the MCSAA (Missouri Christian School Athletic Association) title, they still turned in a strong performance at the state tournament in Joplin.

The Eagles finished second with a 2-1 record at the state event in May. They beat Westwood Baptist 4-0 in the quarterfinals and Daniel Academy 2-1 in overtime in the semifinals before falling 4-0 to Christian Fellowship in the championship match.

Coach Ken Dildine noted that his team was the only one to not be mercy-ruled by Christian Fellowship. 

“Overall, our girls played a very exceptional game,” Dildine said. “CFS pretty much owned that whole tournament and we had a couple of breakdowns, but for the most part, I’m very proud of the way it turned out.”

Dildine touted senior captain Allie Brazier for her performance over the weekend. Brazier notched three goals and one assist throughout the tournament and earned a spot on the all-state tournament team. 

“She’s been a lights-out player for me all season and a great leader,” he said. “I was jokingly telling my son that if she doesn’t make all-state, I might need to go talk to some of these coaches.” 

Dildine added the state tournament was the pinnacle of the season. The Eagles ended the season with an 8-6 record. 

“To watch the girls compete at that level, with the harder teams, it was great,” he said. “It was a great weekend and a very relaxing one.” 

Dildine said his team had to deal with weather issues before state tournament play.

“Weather was a major factor for us this year. The last two weeks, we played one game and we had five or six games on the schedule,” he said. 

Vacek, Ruff win Midwest Nationals

Months after making history as the first two state medalists in the Warrenton girls wrestling program, Alexis Ruff and Allison Vacek continue to excel on the mat.

The wrestlers were crowned champions in their respective weight classes at the prestigious Midwest Nationals Wrestling Tournament, held June 28 in Bloomington, Ill. Both Vacek and Ruff wrestled with the Purler Academy team.

The Midwest Nationals event draws talent from over 30 states with about 1,500 wrestlers competing, providing youth and college wrestlers with national exposure.

Vacek, who will be an incoming senior, placed first in the girls' 11-12th-grade 155-170-pound class. 

“I’ve been wrestling three days a week since the season ended and I’m starting to finally see the results from all the work I’ve put in,” Vacek said. 

Ruff, an incoming junior, won the girls' 9-10th-grade 110-120-pound class. 

“It’s a lot of fun when you’re going there to compete and not so focused on being the best,” Ruff said. “It was pretty awesome winning a national tournament and getting the result I wanted.” Vacek dominated her bracket, pinning all three of her opponents in a combined time of 1 minute, 52 seconds.

“I used what I know I’m strong at to my advantage – a lot of my upper body is my strong suit and I also just came in not being afraid,” Vacek said.

Ruff had an aggressive strategy that led her to a 10-0 major decision in the championship round.

“I was taking a lot more shots and I was able to follow through with them, which ultimately gave me a lot more points,” Ruff said.

Wildcats volleyball has historic season

The historical impact of the 2025 season hasn’t been lost on Wright City junior outside hitter Jaiden Walch.

As the Wildcats captured the Eastern Missouri Conference championship, a first conference title since 1982, the team also enjoyed the postseason spoils from its collectively strong effort.

Walch was one of three on the team to earn an all-conference selection. While that fact was nice, making program history was also very sweet, she said, because the team accolades carry plenty of weight over the individual honors.

“From the beginning, we knew that if we played our game and trusted each other, we could change the narrative,” said Walch of the program’s winning one conference match in the two years prior.

Walch and fellow junior Marli Burkhardt were named to the first team. Walch was also named an honorable mention, all-district.

She recorded a team-high 96 kills, 10 blocks and 119 digs for Wright City (15-10-2).

“Being named first team all-conference has truly been an honor, and I’m so grateful I got to experience it,” Walch said. “This season, our team put in the work, stayed together, and proved what Wright City volleyball is capable of (achieving).”

Lastly, for the Wildcats, sophomore setter Emerson Wendt earned second-team honors in both the Eastern Missouri Conference and Class 3 District 6.

Nute earns top finish in girls golf history

Morgan Nute proved again that she is one of the best high school golfers in the state. 

The Wright City junior picked up her third consecutive state medal, finishing with a score of 166 to place third at the Class 2 state tournament on Oct. 21 at Meadow Lake Acres Country Club in New Bloomfield.

“This means a lot, especially since I struggled (on day one), so being able to get a medal after that feels nice,” Nute said. 

Over the course of her high school career, Nute built a superb résumé which includes two third-place state finishes, one fourth-place state medal and two district titles. 

“We are very proud of her,” Wright City coach Stephen McClain said. 

Nute has come a long way with golf.

When she was just five years old, she would take her coloring book and markers to the driving range, while she sat quietly and watched her dad, Ryan, hit golf balls.

Two years later, the coloring book was gone.

In its place was a bag of golf clubs.

Ryan had been patiently waiting for her to show interest in the game and already had a set of clubs ready for her. 

From the moment she took her first swing, she was hooked. 

“It’s how I grew up. We would go all the time – he’s pretty much taught me everything,” the younger Nute said. 

Now a junior at Wright City High School, Nute has been coined as ‘that golfer.’

Ryan Nute said that seeing his little girl trade coloring books for clubs has been a fantastic sight.

“It’s been a lot of fun watching her grow up playing golf,” the elder Nute said. “Her golf swing came pretty naturally when she was just a little girl. It’s been great watching her confidence level keep growing and her scores are consistently getting lower. She works very hard at everything she does. I know next year she will give it her best at state again.”

Morgan credits her father for fostering her love of the game.

“He has had a major impact on my love for the game, not only was golf something he enjoyed but it was something we could both enjoy,” Morgan Nute said. “He has taught me everything I know and it has been something we could bond over throughout my life. From playing together, having him as a caddie, or even just having him as a spectator, he has always been my number one supporter.”

Grooms becomes arm-wrestling world champion

When Nolan Grooms was a kid, he did what most children do for fun – arm wrestle. Back then, he was a hard opponent to beat in the school cafeteria. 

Not much has changed since. 

Except now, not only can no one from the school cafe beat him in an arm wrestle – no one in the world can either. 

Grooms, a Warrenton senior, was recently named the 2025 IFA 78 kg 16-18U World Champion in Baku, Azerbaijan. Not only did the 17-year-old take home one gold medal, but he also took home two for both his right and left arms. 

“I was crying a lot,” Grooms said. “I had never had that feeling before and I never understood why people cried from happiness, but now I do.” 

A simple activity with his friends at the school lunch tables soon turned into a lifelong passion. 

“I enjoyed it a lot more than any of my friends did and I didn’t know it was a sport at all, until I started doing some research and discovered arm wrestling is actually a sport,” Grooms said.

Nobody taught him the sport. Instead, Grooms taught himself all at the age of 12. 

His entrance into the competition world was unexpected. While he was arm wrestling coach Mark Thomas at his older sister Briana’s state track meet, one of her relay partners noticed. 

“She told me her cousin was a professional arm wrestler and I said give me his number. I’m 12 at the time and I’m texting this 30-year-old man asking him to please help me get into arm wrestling,” Grooms said while laughing. “He was nice enough to send me a couple event flyers and I went to this tournament.” 

Grooms placed second in that first tournament. From that moment, he was hooked. 

“From then on, I’ve just been seriously training these past five or six years,” he said. 

Since then, Grooms has become a four-time state champion and a two-time national champion. 

This was just his second time qualifying and competing on the world stage. Last year, he placed eighth (left arm) and third (right arm) in Greece. 

Wright City football makes program history

With its 47-22 home win over Principia at America’s Heartland Stadium in a Class 3 District 3 quarterfinal on Oct. 31, the Wright City football team not only ended a two-game slide and extended its season but made program history in doing so.

Wright City secured its 23rd win over the course of the past four seasons, breaking the old mark, which the program set between 2007-10.

Senior quarterback Dayton Humphreys said that crushing defeats to Montgomery County and North Callaway leading up to the district playoff weren’t going to be the way the team was going to be remembered.

The quarterback was happy to know that this year’s team will be known for some great history.

“Going into this game, we knew we had something to prove,” Humphreys said. “The last two weeks were flukes and we really got humbled, I’d say. We needed those butt-whippings to make us drive to do better.”

The Wildcats finished the year with a 7-4 record.