GIRL’S WRESTLING The girls’ wrestling team has been working hard this past wrestling season and it paid off. Every single girl on the team ended up qualifying for the 2026 KSHSAA Class 5A State Tournament at Heartland Credit Union Arena in Park City, Kansas on Feb. 27 to 28. “Qualifying 14 out of 14 girls for state is a new record for our girls’ wrestling team. This adds to the program’s legacy and gives our ladies an opportunity to compete against the best Kansas Class 5A has to offer,” Chad Parks, wrestling coach, said. The team placed third at the tournament, finishing with 141.5 points.
WASHBURN LEADERSHIP CHALLENGE
Fans cheer on the girls’ wrestling team from the stands as it is announced that the team placed third overall.
Funded by the Washburn University Aleshire Center for Leadership and Community Engagement, the Washburn Leadership Challenge Event (WLCE) is an annual event for high school students and undergraduate college students. It’s meant to be an experience in which students will have the opportunity to gain problem- solving and leadership skills through a competition that simulates real world leadership.
The first day of the event consists of seminars and meetings with speakers to discuss leadership. The following day, groups of five—each member with a specific role—are presented with an issue in a simulated city called Metropolis, Kansas that they must resolve as a team. In the end, the team with the most effective, well- thought and realistic solution is chosen as the winner.
Freshman Brinnley Morris, sophomore Olive Jones and senior Cianna Graves ended as state champions. A new program record. Furthermore, senior Olivia Stevens won a third place medal and junior Audrey Hinkly brought home a fifth place medal.
WRESTLING PHOTOS BY BRINLEIGH BROWN
Taylor Carabio, junior, Dayton Vanderpool, senior, Jordan Ward, senior, Laura Sobba, senior, and Araya Harness, junior, hold the trophy for placing first at the Washburn Leadership Challenge Event. Photo by Laurie Crimmins
OLIVE JONES, SOPHOMORE
OLIVIA STEVENS, SENIOR
WHAT DOES GOING TO STATE MEAN TO YOU, ESPECIALLY AS A SENIOR? “Going to state for me means that I get one last chance to leave everything out on the mat, and no matter the outcome, to have pride in myself, my training, my coaches and teammates,” Stevens said.
“I worked hard, but most importantly I cleared my mind and reminded myself that whatever happens, there’s not much I can do besides leave it up to God. I just reminded myself to work hard and trust in his plan,” Jones said. HOW DID YOU PREPARE FOR STATE?
AND THE AWARD GOES TO...
The 2026 WLCE solvable issue was an issue at the fictional Roosevelt High School where students were protesting the lack of mental health awareness. WLCE teams were given the task of developing solutions that could support the students’ concerns. Shawnee Heights’ 2026 team consisted of juniors Araya Harness and Taylor Carabio and seniors Laura Sobba, Jordan Ward and Dayton Vanderpool, who all worked together. “We all kind of developed a little community with one another, and it’s just really nice to work with people that you actually enjoy spending time with and enjoy talking to,” Ward said.
This team addressed the presented issue in a way they thought the students would enjoy. They planned to raise awareness on school social media accounts, promote better staff-student relations and develop a mental health wellness space in the high school. With these proposed solutions, the team took home first place out of 28 other high schools, winning a $1,000 scholarship if they choose to attend Washburn University. This marks the second year in a row that Heights has placed first at WLCE. “With the exception of one team member, this team also won last year’s event. That just proves what an excellent
Senior Olivia Stevens, emotional after winning against Valley Center and placing third in the 145 weight class championships on Feb. 28, the last match of her high school career.
During a 155 weight class championship match, sophomore Olive Jones flips opponent from Kapaun Mt. Carmel into a pin on Feb. 27. Jones placed first in her weight class.
Working on their individual email responses that correspond to their assigned role, the team collaborates on a solution for mental health struggles within the fake high school presented by the Washburn Leadership Challenge Event. Photo by Laurie Crimmins
group of leaders, problem solvers, and presenters this team is. Our teams have won 5 championships and several other honors over the 16 years we have had a team participate,” Laurie Crimmins, team sponsor, said.
After a victory against her opponent from Topeka High, the ref raises junior Audrey Hinkly’s hand on Feb. 28. Hinkly placed fifth in the 125 weight class championship.
Brinnley Morris, freshman, highfives her teammates behind the barricade to celebrate her win against Salina Central in the 120 weight class championships on Feb. 27 that put her in first place.
Senior Cianna Graves puts her opponent from Basehor-Linwood in a chicken wing during the 155 weight class championship match on Feb. 27. Graves won the match, placing first in her weight class.
14 | Washburn Leadership Written and designed by Lydia 14 | Washburn Leadership Written and designed by Lydia Landes
Written and designed by Lydia Landes Written and designed by Lydia Landes Girls’ Wrestling | 15 Girls Wrestling | 15
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