Wyandotte County girls’ wrestling had a tremendous amount of success at the KSHSAA 5A state tournament in Park City over the weekend.

Three new local champions were crowned — two from Piper, and another from Bonner Springs — across the fourteen weight classes. In addition, eleven other wrestlers finished in the top six in their classes to win a medal.

You can see a full recap of results and medalists and lots more photos from the tournament at https://dottesportspix.substack.com/p/three-new-girls-wrestling-champs.

Malia Martin, Piper senior

Piper’s girls’ wrestling program continued its impressive growth in participants and accomplishments in the 2024-25 season, qualifying seven wrestlers for the state tournament, and claiming two weight classes champions (matched only by Newton and Emporia).

Coach James Thompson gave credit to his wrestlers and their dedication for the success. “We’ve come on strong and fast — a credit to the girls,” said Thompson.

“They work hard. They work in the weight room. Both our state champs are power lifters. We have several other power lifters on the team, so they’re working year round to get better and it shows up on the mat.”

Piper senior Malia Martin became Piper’s first girls’ wrestling champion through a lot of hard work, and a little luck-of-the-draw. The randomly selected starting weight-class for the tournament finals meant that the three-time state qualifier took the mat before her teammate Maia Dolinar.

Martin faced Turner junior Izzy Brown for the championship in the 170-pound weight class. The two have faced each other a few times before, including this year’s WYCO Championship tournament, so Martin felt like she understood Brown’s style.

 ”Our two teams have been close,” said the new state champ. “Our coaches especially talk all the time. There’s definitely some pressure because she knows how I wrestle. I know how she wrestles. So it’s knowing what I want to set up and knowing what I need to do to get it done.”

Malia’s mom Rebecca Martin was overcome with the excitement of the moment. “ It’s crazy. It’s…I can’t even describe it,” said Martin, also a technology teacher for the Piper school district. “It’s been a long time coming. She’s put in a lot of work, and it’s just super exciting. We’re super proud of her.”

Proud dad Miguel Martin Sr. described Malia’s journey in wrestling. “ She was approached about wrestling freshman year,” said Martin, “but really didn’t have an interest.”

“Then finally sophomore year she decided to come out and was a natural right from the beginning. Every year, seeing how far that she’s progressed and continues to get better until this final match.”

Maia Dolinar, Piper junior

Junior Maia Dolinar (31-1) wrestled her way to the championship match for the second consecutive year and made a beeline for the top step this year, pinning Sophia Schmitt of Newton and Olive Jones of Shawnee Heights in short order to start the tournament.

Hays senior Tionna Napue lasted into the third period of the championship semifinal by wrestling defensively, but Dolinar still claimed the win by fall. When Napue chose bottom to try for an escape point in the third period, Dolinar rolled from the top, gaining leverage to invert her opponent shoulders-down onto the mat.

The first-place match against Spring Hill’s Ellie Ruffin was lopsided in Dolinar’s favor, with the Piper junior claiming two takedowns and six nearfall points in two periods before pinning Ruffin late in the second.

Dolinar combined two major accomplishments, the championship match also being the 100th win of her career, ensuring she got an arena-sized audience to applaud it.

After the title match, Thompson praised Dolinar’s relentless single-mindedness on the mat. “ She wrestles her match,” said the coach. “She doesn’t try to change what she does for anybody else. She doesn’t worry about the other kid at all.”

Despite her daughter’s record of success, mom Cassie Dolinar still gets butterflies.  ”She’s a very dynamic wrestler,” said Dolinar, also Piper’s cross country coach. “Her strength combined with her skill is a force to be contended with. So I don’t know…I get nervous always because it’s my child out there on the mat.”

Dolinar was effusive about the young woman her daughter is growing into. “She’s just the right amount of everything — funny, generous, kind, competitive, serious, hardworking, and determined. She’s fierce and she’s beautiful. I’m so blessed to be her mom and that I get to be a part of this ride with her.”

Having lost to only to a single nationally ranked opponent this season, Dolinar is setting her sights beyond instate competition. She will be headed to the Folkstyle Nationals Mar. 14 to 16 in West Des Moines, Ia.

Addison Vogel, Bonner Springs junior

Addison Vogel put in a big-time performance when it counted. The Bonner Springs junior won the championship match of the 155-pound weight class, pinning Kyrah Martinez of Eisenhower 30 seconds into the third period.

The match was a low-scoring one. Vogel scored an escape starting from bottom in the second period, but despite some hand-fighting neither wrestler got a decisive edge.

Martinez took bottom to recover the point in the third period, and Vogel took advantage, catching the Tigers sophomore on the rise and walking her into a turn without delay.

Vogel opened the tournament with a 16-1 tech fall over Andover’s Claire Compton and followed up with a 13-7 decision over Basehor-Linwood’s Falasteen Shalabi. She earned her way to the final with a 7-3 decision over Hays’s Lexi Barnett.

Head coach Byron Mays credited Vogel’s hard work during the season for her tournament success. “ She wrestled well In this tournament, that’s for sure and she’s improved over the last several weeks. She’s a hard worker, but last couple weeks she’s gotten into better shape, and she’s been better focused.”

The new champion enjoyed getting to experience the tournament with her team. “ I was just really excited to wrestle with my team.” said the Braves junior. “I was really hoping that we all get a chance to make it memorable.”

After a long season of training, Vogel had a clear idea on how to celebrate her win. “I’m hitting up Texas Roadhouse ASAP.”

The state title continued a five-year streak for the Bonner girls, continuing Olivia Stean’s four-year reign in Park City.