Kalli Schuster ended her high school wrestling career on a high note, becoming the first North Platte girl to win an individual state title at Mizzou Arena on Feb. 23.
North Platte senior Kalli Schuster gets on top of West Plains’ Nikeshia Davis in the semifinal match before later becoming a state champion in the 135-weight class in the Class 1 State Tournament at Mizzou Arena on Feb. 23.
When the North Plate senior won her fourth match in just as many tries at the Class 1 State Tournament, she imprinted her name in the history books. Coming off her 100th career victory in the same match that she became a district champion in two weeks prior, the 135-pound wrestler not only won an individual championship but also helped her team finish in fifth place, right outside of earning a state trophy.
While Schuster goes to North Platte, she wrestles for Mid-Buchanan as the Dragons have a co-op wrestling team. Mid-Buchanan finished with 55.5 points – 1.5 points behind fourth place Cameron – and missed out on a top-3 finish by 6.5 points.
Schuster matched up with Elizabeth Henderson (El Dorado Springs) in the championship match. She eventually won with a 7-0 decision and ended her senior campaign with an impressive 46 wins in 52 tries.
Schuster had a favorable matchup to open the tournament, taking on Ragan Picou from Ste. Genevieve. The North Platte senior pinned the opponent in 2:24.
The 135-pound wrestler was tasked with taking on a district champion – Payton Weese from Marceline – who entered the matchup with a 39-3 record. Schuster was in a battle and pulled out an 8-6 decision victory.
The eventual state champion had another barn burner in the semifinals being forced to take on West Plains’ Nikeshia Davis. The match was back-and-forth until Schuster squeezed out a 1-0 decision victory.
Before Schuster, the last North Platte girl to reach the championship was Haley Sampson last year. The 110-pound wrestler – who has since graduated – was the runner-up in that match, losing to Wildwood Lafayette’s Faith Cole.
Mid-Buchanan had two other wrestlers at state, Delanie Smith (105) and Molly Stanton (125). Smith joined Schuster on the podium with a state title and Stanton went 2-2 to earn four team points.