With five returning state qualifiers including. Defending champion, Troy Buchanan’s girls’ wrestling team has some lofty expectations for the upcoming season.

Senior Zoey Haney, after posting a 36-1 record en route to the state championship in the 100-pound weight class will try to become the second female wrestler in school history to repeat as state champion.

Autumn Flanigan first achieved the feat in the infancy of the program, winning the 110-pound championship in 2019 and the 120-pound division the following season.

Bret Smith is the only boy in school history to achieve the feat, winning at 170 pounds in 2022 and 175 the following season.

Haney’s twin sister, Madison, returns to the mats after finishing sixth at state at 105 pounds. Other returning state qualifiers include Brooke Dollars (145 pounds), Molly Marischen (155) and Jeralyn Spear (235).

“Our girls team is at the top of the conference and I expect them to compete with the top teams in the conference and state,” Troy Coach Josef Wolfrum said.

On the boys side, Wolfrum has a couple state qualifiers returning including senior Blake Tharp (165 pounds) and Austin Amos (144).

With several new faces competing for the boys, Wolfrum isn’t focus entirely on winning and losing.

“To continue to have fun and build positive relationships with and amongst each other,” he said. “We are focused on getting better every day and the team and individual titles will come.”