Cody Thorn
Behind a trio of finalists, Azle took second in the girls’ 5A title hunt.
It was the team’s highest finish since being runners-up at the 2022 finals.
The Lubbock Cooper won the title with 99 1/2 points, while the Lady Hornets finished with 70 points in the first year under the guidance of Jayson Conger, who was formerly the head coach at Keller Timber Creek.
Mariah Dillard capped off her perfect season with a win in the 120-pound finals, beating Aniz Ramirez of Georgetown.
“I’ve been working hard for this and it finally happened,” Dillard. “I stayed calm and listened to my coach.”
Dillard was ranked No. 1 heading into state and the first of her big wins came in the semifinals. She won 9-5 against Leah Cisneros of Corpus Christi Carroll — last year’s state champion at 120 pounds.
Dillard went up 5-0 in the first period with a takedown-nearfall combo. Cisneros scored all five of her points in the third period.
Dillard was 42-0 and it was the third year in a row with a champion for the school. Annabelle Davis won last year, while Pella LaFever took home a title in 2022. Davis was back at state this year…
