The Wright City girls wrestling team had a strong season during the 2024-25 campaign and, according to senior Sadie Sehnert, both she and the team are looking to take the next step this season.
Sehnert, who won 47 matches and finished fifth in the state at 130 pounds, said she expects more out of all involved.
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The Wright City girls wrestling team had a strong season during the 2024-25 campaign and, according to senior Sadie Sehnert, both she and the team are looking to take the next step this season.
Sehnert, who won 47 matches and finished fifth in the state at 130 pounds, said she expects more out of all involved.
“We want more, as a team,” said Sehnert of improving upon the four Wildcats qualifiers from last season. “It’s a big goal. I’m wrestling at a higher weight class this year, so I’m not really sure if it’s going to be harder or easier (individual), but I think if we all put in the work, we can (achieve).”
Sehnert (140 pounds) returns with Kali Jensen (125), who both made it to state a season ago; both have high expectations not only from themselves but also from Wildcats head coach Fred Ross.
The coach said that both have worked in the offseason to improve their abilities on the mat.
“We expect Sadie to step up,” Ross said. “She did a lot of freestyle this summer. She made Team Missouri (wrestling team). We expect a lot of good things out of her. Kali is a three-time state qualifier. She placed as a freshman. She's stronger than she was last year, and she worked hard in the off-season. We expect those two to lead us.”
Sehnert has also won her 100th career match, taking first place at the Wright City wrestling tournament at 145 pounds on Nov. 22.
Ross said that there is plenty of talent behind the top two wrestlers.
The veteran coach said that freshman Victoria Riggs (115), sophomore Rebekah Riggs, and junior Liliana Wiedemeier (135) should all play essential roles in the team’s success, learning from the returning state qualifiers.
“Lilianna worked very hard at camp this year,” Ross said. “Becky (Riggs) got hurt last year, but little Riggs (Victoria) has really worked hard.
“We’ve got 12 girls, four of them with experience and they’re working hard,” Ross said. “Some of the new girls, we’re just hoping to get them better. With five sophomores and three freshmen out of my 10, that’s pretty good. Those experienced kids can show the others what to do from their perspective, which is different than a coach’s perspective.”
For her part, Sehnert said that she really wants to work hard on the mental aspect of her craft this season.
After all, being successful at the sport she loves does require plenty of mental, as well as physical, work.
“I, kind of, want to see what happens,” Sehnert said. “I would like to get fourth or better because I got fish last year. (It will) probably just (take) a lot of hard work, not getting my head and (not being) nervous.”
