16-02-2025
Multiple local wrestlers crowned individual state champions
BOSSIER CITY, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — Seven wrestlers from the Shreveport-Bossier area were crowned individual state champions at the 2025 LHSAA Wrestling State Tournament.
It is the first year of girls wrestling as a sanctioned sport in Louisiana. In the 120 weight class, Haughton's Natalie Davis was crowned a state champ.
'Four years putting in the work,' started Davis, 'Wrestling boys and girls, and traveling the country was finally worth it since we are now sanctioned. I'm just so happy that we got sanctioned before I graduated, and I was able to get this title.'
History Made; Girls compete for state wrestling title for first time
In the Girls' 132 weight class Benton's Audrina Wade took home the state title as a freshman.
'Before the match I was really nervous,' recalled Wade, 'Once we tied up, that's when I knew I got her and threw her down.'
Benton not only produced a girl's state champ, but Cooper Reagan took home the state title in the Division I 175 weight class. It's something the senior has been dreaming of since his freshman year.
'I started (wrestling) when I was a freshman in high school,' explained Reagan. 'It's truly a blessing for me to be able to be here. I thank my coaches, and I thank God. I really wouldn't be here without them.'
Kershaw looking for 1st state title after 2 runner up finishes
In Division II, North Desoto's Dalton Compton and Chase Smart each walked away with their second consecutive individual state title. It means a lot to the pair of wrestlers to both be named back-to-back state champs.
'It feels good,' hared Compton. 'I said my freshman after I won my first one that I'm not done. I came back my sophomore year and won it again, still not done. Won it this year, my junior year, still not done. I need one more.'
'(Chase and I) would push each other every day to get better in positions that we weren't that good in,' added Compton. 'I feel like that has helped me improve a lot.'
'Back-to-back with my brother means everything to me,' shared Smart. 'It's the last time I'm with him, the last match, the last tournament, it means everything.'
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Jumping over to the Division III 132 weight class, Evangel's Jeremia Yearby won the state title. The junior lost in the semifinals last year, and that tough loss fueled his journey to becoming a state champion this year.
'I worked every day,' Yearby said. 'That loss in the semifinals kept me up all night. It made my stomach hurt every day. I'm glad I finally got the job done. I'm the first one in my family to win a state title. I'm glad I could put on for Shreveport.'
More than one Evangel Eagle walked away as a state champ today. In the 150 weight class, Joseph Gilreath brought home his second consecutive state title.
'It's really hard to come out here for a second year in a row and win it because everybody is hungry and wants to beat you,' explained Gilreath. 'That's one thing that I took into account is that people are going to try and beat me. I didn't like the sound of that.'
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