Girls Wrestling Grinds Out Second Place In St. Clair

Two months after their first meet, the Lady Eagles continue to grind through every challenge they encounter.

Assistant coach Heidi Blankenship described her fighters as “made from a different cloth,” saying, “It’s amazing to watch them because no matter what they’re facing—if it’s…an ache or a pain or sometimes it’s like a real injury—they’re just like, ‘No, I’m here for the grind.’” 

The Lady Eagles showed their toughness at the St. Clair Classic on Friday, Jan. 24. With only seven wrestlers, Sullivan soared past eleven other teams for second place and 155 points.

The hosting Lady Bulldogs (356) won their tournament; Wright City (153.5) received bronze, Branson (151) finished fourth, and Desoto (129.5) rounded out the top five. Parkway West (104.5) took sixth, followed by Ft. Zumwalt East (88), Union (65), Fatima/West Plains (51), Lutheran St. Charles (47.5), Lift for Life Academy Charter (38) and Herculaneum (35).

Blankenship could not have been any prouder of her wrestlers. “You would never think you would go to a team competition with half a roster and take second,” she exclaimed. “It’s very impressive, and it’s just a testament to the girls themselves and even the ones that didn’t necessarily walk away with hardware.”

The coach praised Dorie Richardson (32-0) for her performance at the tournament and leadership this year. The senior remains undefeated and has won six tournaments this season, including St. Clair.

Chloe Carson (25-10) also swept her class for first place last Friday. Blankenship applauded the sophomore, who had been learning behind Richardson. She shared, “Carson is another one of those girls that has just been a privilege to coach because of the fact that she literally does not quit. And she’s learned that [trait], not only from other things but just from the room itself.”

Abigail Erfurth (22-6) is another rising sophomore for Sullivan. She finished second in St. Clair, winning two of her three bouts. Blankenship described her as having a wall-like “presence” on the mat and appreciates her for always striving to improve.

The assistant also recognized Ruby Daily (21-9) and Katie Summers (11-19) for helping Sullivan’s younger wrestlers reach their fullest potential. She thanked the seniors for “coming in and helping [those who] are new to our room, but still giving them that input.”

Summers took silver at the tournament, while Daily received bronze with a 2-2 record.

Autumn (6-22) and Starr (2-19) Hardesty brought in a combined 25 points. Autumn placed fifth and went 2-2 on Friday, while Starr ranked fourth.

With the St. Clair Classic in the books, Sullivan prepares for what lies ahead in February. On the fourteenth, they will start districts and compete for state berths.

Blankenship continues to tell her team that “it’s just those little things that are going to mean, ‘Do we take four to state, or do we take seven?’”

She wants to see the Lady Eagles continue their “grit and grind,” claiming that “they definitely are set apart, and it’s been a privilege to be around them.”

Wrestler Recaps

Richardson (140) won her sixth consecutive tournament in St. Clair. With 33 points, she locked up Chloe Richardson (Union) in 1:58, Alaina Fitzpatrick (Lutheran St. Charles) in 1:00, Jayla Goins-West (Lift for Life) in 1:01 and Jolee Lockhart (Wright City) in 2:53.

Carson (155) left no time for her opponents on the mat. She also tallied 33 points, taking down Harlie Humphrey (St. Clair) in 0:43, Bailey Buschjost (Fatima) in 0:16, Ashley Nix (West Plains) in 1:19 and Alex Dierberg (Union) in 1:40.

Erfurth (235) finished second on the podium with 24 points. To clinch the championship round, she pinned Emma Bay (St. Clair) in 0:40 and Amiona Errasti (St. Clair) in 4:18. For her final fight, the sophomore fell in 3:28 to Natalie Gaytan (Branson).

Summers (190) was the runner-up in her class. She racked up 20 points and fell in her two rounds to Kaitlynn Van De Wiele (St. Clair).

Daily (170) finished with a bronze medal while also tallying 20 points. She went 2-2 on Friday, trapping Savannah Cisco (Branson) in 1:55 and Izzy Smith (West Plains) in 1:39 for her two victories.

Autumn Hardesty (125) took fifth in her class with 13 points. After losing her first two rounds, the freshman rebounded with pins over Autumn Lawson (Desoto) in 1:24 and Journey Markway (Fatima) in 1:29.

Starr Hardesty (145) showed grit in her fourth-place finish. Despite falling in her three bouts, the sophomore brought in 12 points for Sullivan.

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