The District 7-6A championship wrestling tournament was held over one day, on Saturday. There are only seven schools in the district, which include all of the Klein ISD schools, Klein, Klein Cain, Klein Collins, and Klein Forest, and Klein Oak. Also in the district are Waller and Bryan high schools.
Since the District Realignment of 2023, when Klein schools were split from the Conroe schools (8-6A), Klein Oak has owned the Girls’ District Championship, winning titles each year.
This is the first year in which there were four schools scoring above 100 points, with Klein Oak coming out on top with 176 points, which included two champions, five runners-up, and four third-place finishers, proving that a title is dependent upon all wrestlers doing their best in every match.
Klein, who hasn’t finished above fourth place in six years, came in second with 130 points and three champions. Klein Collins, who has finished in second place or higher since 2020 dropped to third place this year, but still had three champions.
Let’s see how the young ladies filled out the four places going to the Region 2 tournament.
100 lbs.
#6 ranked Katelynn Dockery (27-1) of Bryan HS faced #8 ranked Elisa Cano (31-14) of Klein Oak in the finals. Dockery has title belts at the Gator Roll, CFISD, Doc Hess, and Texas Women’s Classic. Cano has a title from the Tiger Classic, and has lost to Dockery twice this season.
In the first period, Dockery was the aggressor, using a strong collar tie to move Cano around. She eventually used a shrug to pull Cano by and come behind for the takedown. Dockery quickly got a double armbar, and turned Cano for a pin that was recorded at 1:22.
105 lbs.
Fourth seeded Leighlani Nunley of Waller, pulled an upset over first seed Lillian Juarez of Klein Collins in the semifinals to match-up with second seeded, Metima Balanga of Klein in the Finals.
Balanga scored the first takedown and looked to have Nunley on her back, but got too high and Nunley rolled her over and landed on top, getting a NF-3 before putting her away for the title in 1:16.
110 lbs.
#4 ranked Alia Baker (35-3) of Klein Cain met Waller’s Emma Jimenez (24-9) in the finals of the 105 lb. bracket.
Jimenez shot first, but Baker defended well and spun around for the takedown. When Jimenez stood and attempted to turn in, Baker got her down to her hip and worked a NF-4 before going out-of-bounds.
Baker chose down to start the second period and quickly escaped, then grabbed a single with an underhook and brought Jimenez down to her hip, and then her back, earning another NF-4. She cut Jimenez loose for an escape. But what should have been a tech fall 15-0 win with her takedown before the escape, was not called after the escape occurred, that made it 15-1. The officials conferenced and continued the match. It probably didn’t matter, as all Baker had to do was get another takedown and the match would be over, which she soon did, winning an 18-1 TF at 3:11. But anything can happen in a wrestling match, and the fact that the Cain coach did not question the ref makes you wonder why not.
115 lbs.
Up next was 4th seed, Ke’myah Rogers of Klein Collins, who entered the tournament not having wrestled a competitive match outside of the practice room this year. She faced second seed Rachele Reyna (19-14) of Waller. Rogers last wrestled in the Rumble at the Rock in December of 2014. She was injured in the semis there, but wrestled again in the consolation semis, defeating Kylie Smith of College Park, before finishing 4th. She would later learn that the rest of her season would be lost to a knee injury.
Well Rogers definitely looked well rested and came out and punished Reyna before pinning her at 1:02. It will be very interesting to see what kind of wrestling shape she is in when she gets to the Region 2 tournament.
120 lbs.
Serenity Duron (22-12) of Klein matched up with Jasmine Torres (15-9) of Klein Forest in the 120 finals. This would be the first final match to go all three periods.
Duron got on the board first with a shot at a single, and then a rather easy spin behind the other way. Duron was unable to break Torres down from her base, and when the period ended, Duron chose down , leading 3-0.
Duron did a high tripod and stepped over Torres, but was unable to get the reversal right away, but she eventually spun around for two. A stall call on Torres stopped the action, and returned the pair to the middle of the mat. Torres was able to work an escape before the end of the period, and started on bottom for the 3rd, trailing 5-1.
Torres picked up an escape and a stalling point in the third period, but was unable to get control of Duron. Duron wins a 5-3 decision that was not as close as the score would indicate.
125 lbs.
Elise Gardner, (15-14) the first seed took on the second seed, Emma Torres (13-15) of Waller, in the next finals’ match. Gardner could not capitalize on a pretty good double-leg, and Torres was able to shrug her by and get the first takedown. After an out-of-bounds whistle, Gardner hit a great sit-out and roll for an R-2, and because she kept control of Torres’ wrist, she was able to put her on her back. Gardner received a NF-4 and started over again. She had a deep half on Torres while she was still on her knees, not something I would advise, but she made it work, and turned her over for the fall at 1:48 for the gold.
130 lbs.
Gabriella Martinez (22-1) of Klein Collins was last in the District Championships in 2024, when she won Districts as a ninth grader, and ended up finishing 3rd at the State Championships, with a 46-3 record. Since then, a shoulder surgery ended her sophomore season, and she has taken her time, choosing her competitions carefully, and is ready to make her mark in the postseason.
Martinez took on challenger Jessika Campbell (12-4) of Bryan. Martinez scored a takedown in the first 15 seconds and a NF-2 before injury time was called, and the match was called an injury default at 0:25.
135 lbs.
The crowd was ready for another battle between #4 Josie Clarke of Klein Oak and #5 Amira Grey of Klein. The pair last met two weeks earlier in the finals of the Tiger Classic, where Clarke won a very close 2-1 decision. This match would also be close, but Clarke would prevail on the strength of her two takedowns, one in both the first and second period. On the first, Grey had a great shrug, but failed to slide by before Clarke was able to grab her leg and get the takedown. Grey eventually escaped.
Grey chose down in the second, escaped, and again had a pretty good shot, but she didn’t finish. Clarke used a cross-face and came around for three more points. Again, Grey escaped for her second point before the period ended with Clarke ahead 6-3.
Clarke chose bottom for the third, and was called for stalling twice in the first 1:30, giving Grey another point. Then Clarke escaped and the two old foes remained on their feet for the rest of the period, with Clarke winning another decision, this one 7-4.
140 lbs.
Emma Moye, a junior from Waller, #16 in the Pre-Regional rankings, faced Cristina Bernal (8-13) of Klein Cain in the finals.
Taking nothing away from the wrestlers on the mat, but when there are only three wrestlers in the bracket, it is a sign that more schools in the area need to adopt wrestling as an interscholastic sport and/or the current coaches need to work more within their communities to encourage greater youth wrestling participation to build the sport. It is no longer the job of just the clubs to build wrestling, as can be visibly seen by the most successful schools in the state and their link with the local wrestling/MMA/BJJ academies.
Getting off of my soapbox, Moye wasted no time in turning an ill-advised headlock by Bernal into a takedown of her own. She then turned Bernal over and was able to fit her into a cradle for a fall that was recorded at 1:15.
145 lbs.
Another match that would end rather quickly was between #7 ranked Zoe Sonnier (41-7) of Bryan, and Klein Oak’s Liahona White (13-9).
White took the offensive and made a shot in on Sonnier, but Zoe used a strong underhook and drove White to her back, getting a T-3 and a NF-4 before White kicked out to her base and stood before going out-of-bounds. Sonnier used wrist-control, a leg, and sheer force to turn White over for the count at 1:15.
155 lbs.
Abigail Taylor (31-10), the #6 ranked wrestler from Klein Collins was paired with Samantha Flores (15-15) of Klein Oak in the title bout. I hope you didn’t go out for a snack at the concession stand, or a quick bathroom break, as you would have missed this match, as Taylor scored a quick takedown, nearfall and pin all within the first 0:38.
170 lbs.
Viviane Bueno (18-11) was the winner of a second period fall over Mackenzie Barnes of Klein Oak, after falling behind in the second period 7-3. Barnes was attempting to hit a near cradle while Bueno was standing, and that was the beginning of the end for Barnes, as Bueno grabbed a leg and land on top of Barnes and end up with a pin at 3:10
190 lbs.
Another rematch between #12 Ariana Rangel (31-7) of Klein Oak and #13 Gensis Mejia (24-4) of Klein Forest. Both young ladies are seniors, and they have met countless times. The most recent was at the finals of the Tiger Classic, where Rangel prevailed. This time, instead of ending the match with a pin, Rangel would eke out a 6-3 decision on the weight of her first period takedown and her second period reversal.
235 lbs.
#17 Alexandra Pace (20-6) was waiting all weekend for challenger Isabella Aguayo (21-16) of Klein Oak, especially since they were the only two wrestlers in the bracket. Pace almost ended the match in the first period, but ran out of time after getting a NF-4 at 0:25. Pace chose top for the second period, and never relinquished the position, earning a pin at 3:17.
Individual Placements
100 lbs.
1st Place – Katelynn Dockery of Bryan
2nd Place – Elisa Cano of Klein Oak
3rd Place – Anna Jones of Klein
4th Place – Jayde Tyson of Waller
5th Place – Emily Nguyen of Klein Forest
1st Place Match
Katelynn Dockery (Bryan) 27-1, So. over Elisa Cano (Klein Oak) 31-14, So. (Fall 1:22)
3rd Place Match
Anna Jones (Klein) 15-10, So. over Jayde Tyson (Waller) 2-7, Fr. (Fall 0:43)
5th Place Match
105 lbs.
1st Place – Leighlani Nunley of Waller
2nd Place – Metima Balanga of Klein
3rd Place – Lillian Juarez of Klein Collins
4th Place – Shyann McComb of Klein Oak
5th Place – Mariana Marz Shayib of Klein Cain
6th Place – Leslie Perez of Klein Forest
1st Place Match
Leighlani Nunley (Waller) 9-8, Fr. over Metima Balanga (Klein) 15-13, Jr. (Fall 1:16)
3rd Place Match
Lillian Juarez (Klein Collins) 7-6, Sr. over Shyann McComb (Klein Oak) 10-18, Jr. (Fall 1:02)
5th Place Match
Mariana Marz Shayib (Klein Cain) 9-14, So. over Leslie Perez (Klein Forest) 6-11, Jr. (Fall 0:46)
110 lbs.
1st Place – Alia Baker of Klein Cain
2nd Place – Emma Jimenez of Waller
3rd Place – Megan Valentine of Klein Oak
4th Place – Bella Payes of Klein Forest
1st Place Match
Alia Baker (Klein Cain) 35-3, Jr. over Emma Jimenez (Waller) 24-9, Fr. (TF-1.5 3:11 (18-2))
3rd Place Match
Megan Valentine (Klein Oak) 15-17, Fr. over Bella Payes (Klein Forest) 10-10, Jr. (Fall 3:55)
115 lbs.
1st Place – Ke`myah Rogers of Klein Collins
2nd Place – Rachele Reyna of Waller
3rd Place – Leilani Govea of Klein Oak
4th Place – Sadie Curtis of Klein Cain
1st Place Match
Ke`myah Rogers (Klein Collins) 2-0, Jr. over Rachele Reyna (Waller) 19-14, So. (Fall 1:02)
3rd Place Match
Leilani Govea (Klein Oak) 20-15, So. over Sadie Curtis (Klein Cain) 1-8, Fr. (Fall 1:13)
120 lbs.
1st Place – Serenity Duron of Klein
2nd Place – Jasmine Torres of Klein Forest
3rd Place – Olivia Lofstad of Klein Oak
4th Place – Adriana Ramirez of Klein Collins
1st Place Match
Serenity Duron (Klein) 22-12, So. over Jasmine Torres (Klein Forest) 15-9, Jr. (Dec 5-3)
3rd Place Match
Olivia Lofstad (Klein Oak) 7-14, So. over Adriana Ramirez (Klein Collins) 2-4, Jr. (Fall 3:53)
125 lbs.
1st Place – Elise Gardner of Klein
2nd Place – Emma Torres of Waller
3rd Place – Alivia Reinhardt of Klein Oak
4th Place – Amelia Pawlowski of Klein Cain
5th Place – Alexia Trevino of Klein Forest
1st Place Match
Elise Gardner (Klein) 15-14, Fr. over Emma Torres (Waller) 13-15, Fr. (Fall 1:48)
3rd Place Match
Alivia Reinhardt (Klein Oak) 4-8, Jr. over Amelia Pawlowski (Klein Cain) 3-10, Fr. (Fall 2:53)
130 lbs.
1st Place – Gabriella Martinez of Klein Collins
2nd Place – Jessika Campbell of Bryan
3rd Place – Isabel Aguirre of Waller
4th Place – Jenna Shehadeh of Klein Oak
1st Place Match
Gabriella Martinez (Klein Collins) 22-1, Jr. over Jessika Campbell (Bryan) 12-4, So. (Inj. 0:25)
3rd Place Match
Isabel Aguirre (Waller) 13-11, Fr. over Jenna Shehadeh (Klein Oak) 5-12, Jr. (Fall 1:21)
135 lbs.
1st Place – Josephine Clarke of Klein Oak
2nd Place – Amira Grey of Klein
3rd Place – Kaydance Henderson of Klein Collins
1st Place Match
Josephine Clarke (Klein Oak) 40-4, Sr. over Amira Grey (Klein) 32-5, Jr. (Dec 7-4)
3rd Place Match
Kaydance Henderson (Klein Collins) 0-1, Sr. over () , . (Bye)
140 lbs.
1st Place – Emma Moye of Waller
2nd Place – Cristina Bernal of Klein Cain
3rd Place – Getsemani Martinez of Klein Collins
1st Place Match
Emma Moye (Waller) 25-11, Jr. over Cristina Bernal (Klein Cain) 8-13, Sr. (Fall 1:15)
3rd Place Match
Getsemani Martinez (Klein Collins) 10-5, So. over () , . (Bye)
145 lbs.
1st Place – Zoe Sonnier of Bryan
2nd Place – Liahona White of Klein Oak
3rd Place – Yuri Clay of Klein Collins
1st Place Match
Zoe Sonnier (Bryan) 41-7, Jr. over Liahona White (Klein Oak) 13-9, Sr. (Fall 1:15)
3rd Place Match
155 lbs.
1st Place – Abigail Taylor of Klein Collins
2nd Place – Samantha Flores of Klein Oak
3rd Place – Emyrie Dudonis of Klein
1st Place Match
Abigail Taylor (Klein Collins) 31-10, Sr. over Samantha Flores (Klein Oak) 15-15, Jr. (Fall 0:38)
3rd Place Match
Emyrie Dudonis (Klein) 5-11, Fr. over () , . (Bye)
170 lbs.
1st Place – Viviane Bueno of Klein
2nd Place – Makenzie Barnes of Klein Oak
3rd Place – Annaly Rendon of Klein Collins
1st Place Match
Viviane Bueno (Klein) 18-11, So. over Makenzie Barnes (Klein Oak) 8-9, Jr. (Fall 3:10)
3rd Place Match
Annaly Rendon (Klein Collins) 1-2, Fr. over () , . (Bye)
190 lbs.
1st Place – Ariana Rangel of Klein Oak
2nd Place – Gensis Mejia of Klein Forest
3rd Place – Emily Apau of Klein
1st Place Match
Ariana Rangel (Klein Oak) 31-7, Sr. over Gensis Mejia (Klein Forest) 24-4, Sr. (Dec 6-3)
3rd Place Match
Emily Apau (Klein) 7-9, Jr. over () , . (Bye)
235 lbs.
1st Place – Alexandra Pace of Klein Cain
2nd Place – Isabella Aguayo of Klein Oak
1st Place Match
Alexandra Pace (Klein Cain) 20-6, Sr. over Isabella Aguayo (Klein Oak) 21-16, So. (Fall 3:17)
Team Scores
1 Klein Oak 176.0
2 Klein 130.0
3 Klein Collins 121.0
4 Waller 117.0
5 Klein Cain 84.0
6 Bryan 58.07 Klein Forest 52.0
