Wrestling: Husky proud

Hamilton Heights’ Kendall Moe (left) and Zoe Pugh represented the Huskies well at the Indiana High School Girls Wrestling state finals last Friday at Mooresville. Moe won the state championship at 98 pounds, while Pugh finished sixth at 120 pounds. (Richie Hall)

Kendall Moe wins girls wrestling state finals, Zoe Pugh takes sixth; Millers’ Tomlinson finishes second

Hamilton Heights’ Kendall Moe finished an undefeated season by winning a state championship at the Indiana High School Girls Wrestling state finals last Friday at Mooresville.

Moe won the 98-pound weight class, powering through all four of her matches. Moe won her first three bouts by first-period falls, then cruised past Kirsten Cortez of Lake Central in the final, winning by a 15-1 major decision.

“I think it went pretty well,” said Moe. “All the girls were really tough and wrestled really well.”

Noblesville had three wrestlers finish in the top eight in their respective weight classes. Kyra Tomlinson placed second at 132 pounds; she won her first three matches by pin, but lost in the championship match by fall to Ella Gahl of Northfield.

Two more Millers got podium finishes: Brooke Butler took fourth at 138 pounds and Kaylee Arriaga placed sixth at 250 pounds. As a result, Noblesville finished eighth in the team standings, scoring 43 points. Penn won the team championship with 81 points.

The Huskies tied for 12th as a team with 35 points. Moe was joined on the podium by Zoe Pugh, who took sixth at 120 pounds.

“It was tough, but I think it could’ve been better, but this will do for now,” said Pugh, a sophomore.

Hamilton Southeastern’s Emily Anderson finished fourth at 120 pounds. She scored 13 points for the Royals, who tied for 39th overall.

Several other wrestlers qualified for the state meet and competed at Mooresville. Fanta Sall, Jayda Harris and Kelli Crawford all competed for Hamilton Southeastern; Ayla Howery wrestled for Noblesville, Chloe De Leon and Zentavia Coatie competed for Carmel and Claudia Headlee wrestled for Sheridan.