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ATKINSON — The Cedar Catholic girls wrestling team made history recently as it competed in its first-ever postseason meet at West Holt in Atkinson last weekend.
Cedar Catholic freshman Morgan Kuchta went 0-2 at the meet and wrapped up her season with a 14-14 record, but it was her sister Madison who kept the Lady Trojans’ State hopes alive.
Madison Kuchta went undefeated and qualified as a champion from her bracket with three straight wins.
“Madison was the No. 1 seed in her bracket and she didn’t disappoint,” Cedar Catholic coach Justin Bartling said. “From day one this season to where we are now, Madison has shown so much improvement, not just in wrestling knowledge, but she has improved her ability to move and keep herself in the best positions to win.”
Madison Kuchta is excited about the prospects of State even if she’s disappointed for her sister missing out on the opportunity. “I started last year, but this is my first year competing,” Madison Kuchta said of her early days on the mat. “This is really cool for me and the start of our new girls team. I get to do it with my sister and it’s just us, so that’s a lot of fun. It was really hard for her when she lost because it was a big deal, but she’s excited that I moved on and she’ll be with me.”
She added that with success that more girls would want to join the program in the future.
“We got some junior high girls coming up and it’s growing everywhere,” she said. “Hopefully, we get more interest in Hartington. There’s girls that we’ve talked to that are interested even if it’s not a ton.”
Madison Kuchta heads to York next weekend for the District meet and will be a top-three seed, according to Bartling.
“Morgan wrestled well throughout the day and the year, and unfortunately, she lost her wrestle-back match by only one point with seconds remaining,” Bartling said. “Morgan has really improved a lot over the course of this season and I can’t wait to get back to work with her to make next season even better.”
The Cedar Catholic boys were off all week and will get back at it in Albion for the C2 District finals this weekend.
“This is by far and away the most competitive team we have sent to a District since I have been here,” Bartling said. “Both Easton and Bodie Hochstein will be looking at top seeds most likely, while Maverick Heine, Braeden Kleinschmit, Brady Hochstein and Kale Korth should all be sitting inside the top four.
“Our District this season is full of tough match-ups at every weight and will definitely be a hard-earned opportunity to get to State this season. Our team has been putting in the extra work and really pushing each other and I believe we could be sending a great group of kids through to State.”
