Washington High School wrestlers Maggie Ortmann and Cydni Buchanan earned all-state honors by placing in the top six of their respective weight classes during the MSHSAA Wrestling Championships on Friday and Saturday, February 28-March 1, at Mizzou Arena in Columbia.

Five wrestlers, three girls and two boys, represented Washington at the state meet. Ortmann took home a third-place state medal and Buchanan secured a sixth-place medal.

“As a team, we are feeling down about not reaching our goals, but after a few days to reflect, we will begin to work on what we need to do to address things to make next year an even better season for everyone,” said Washington Head Wrestling Coach Josh Ohm. “Regardless of the outcome, we are extremely proud of our athletes for what they accomplished on and off the mat. We would also like to thank our families and friends who did a great job to come out and support our wrestlers. The kids love to see familiar faces in the crowd and we really appreciate that.” 

Competing in the Class 2 girls bracket, Ortmann earned a third-place finish at 155 pounds with a 4-1 record at the state tournament, finishing the season with a 46-3 record. She won a 7-0 decision over Rolla’s Serenity Tilford in the third-place match.

Ortmann, a senior, ends her WHS career with the most victories in the history of the girls program with 163, eclipsing Annelise Obermark’s 159 wins. She has the third most wins overall in both the boys and girls programs behind only Cole Hamai and Casey Olszowka. Ortmann is now a two-time state medalist and a three-time state qualifier.

“It’s pretty cool to have the most career wins. I’ve worked hard to get here. (Third place) is disappointing now, but it’s something I’ll be proud about,” Ortmann said. “I’m proud of the work I’ve put in and being on the podium. I just tried to survive my last two matches and have a strong finish. That’s all you can do. It was good to finish with a win for my team and represent Washington one more time. “

Ortmann left her mark on the WHS wrestling program.

“Words cannot describe what Maggie has done not just for our girls team, but for this entire program. She set the standard for what a team leader needs to be. Even though she has now had more success than anyone, she always puts her team first. I know it was not the ending she wanted or any of us expected, but to come back and win two more matches after heartbreak shows the person she is and what this program means to her,” Ohm said. “She may not feel like it now, but she has to hold her head high as she finished her career as a Blue Jay with two state medals, the girls all-time career wins record holder, the entire boys and girls program record holder for career falls, two district titles, and a Fargo All-American. After complete heartbreak on Saturday afternoon, by Sunday evening she was back in the room trying to improve and prepare for Fargo. It just doesn't get any better than that. This program is better now than it was when she got here and it has a lot to do with this young lady. We are thankful for that beyond words.”

Buchanan, a sophomore, earned her first career state medal with a sixth-place finish at 100 pounds in her second trip to the state meet. She posted a 2-3 record at state, finishing the season with a 38-9 mark. All three of her losses came against eventual state medalists, including to Liberty’s Lilly Breeden in the semifinals, who went on to be the undefeated state champion.  

“It feels awesome compared to how I did last year. I went 2-2 last year at the state meet, so it’s an improvement,” Buchanan said. “The experience was a lot better this year. I was super nervous last year. This year, I wasn’t really nervous at all. Mentally, I was in a better place. I wrestled tough competition this year, which will help me get better. I just have to keep working and next year the goal is to be at the top of the podium.”

Buchanan will be one of the wrestling program’s leaders over the next two seasons.

 “Cyd was really hurting after falling a match short last year. But she never complained and did nothing but work as hard as she could in the offseason. That is directly why she made the podium this year. Hard work always pays off,” Ohm said. “She still has two more years left with us and she hasn’t even come close to reaching her potential, so we are excited for her future.”

Also representing Washington on the girls side was senior Bri James at 140 pounds, who lost decisions of 5-3 and 8-4 in her two matches to two eventual state medalists, finishing the season with a 38-13 record. James is a two-time state qualifier.

“Bri saw heartbreak in the first round. We truly think that literally a one-second difference was the match, and if we get that win, she finds the podium,” Ohm said. “Bri will be remembered at Washington for over 100 career wins and two trips to state. But even more importantly, she’ll be remembered as a great person and team leader.”

All six of Washington’s losses on the girls side came against eventual state medalists.

Representing Washington on the Class 3 boys side was Gable Ohm and Noah Dooley.

Ohm, a sophomore, was one win away from securing a state medal at 120 pounds. He posted a 2-2 record at state, finishing the season with a 44-9 mark. His two losses came against the eventual third- and fourth-place medalists. Ohm is now a two-time state qualifier, earning all-state honors last year as a freshman.

“It hurts to see a returning state medalist fall in the blood round and not return to the podium, but it’s hard to be anything but excited for Gable,” Ohm said about his son. “He was in arguably the toughest weight class in Class 3. It’s not common to see a weight class with seven returning state medalists, four returning state finalists and two returning state champs. For Gable to fall one match short of the podium shows that last year was not shocking or a surprise. He has proven he can wrestle with anyone in the state and after 24 hours, he was already back in the room working to get better. Gable tied the school record for most wins as a sophomore with Cole Hamai with 44. So anytime we have a returning two-time team captain start his junior season with 91 career wins, we know we will be just fine.”

Dooley, a junior, dropped both of his matches at 138 pounds in his first trip to state, one of which was against the eventual sixth-place medalist. He finished the season with a 37-15 record.

“Noah really had a breakout year and we are extremely proud of him. The growth he showed not only from last season, but from the beginning of this season to the end of the state meet was incredible,” Ohm said. “We are excited for him to return for his senior season. He should hold his head up high and be excited for the future.”

Three of Washington’s four losses on the boys side came against eventual state medalists.

Maggie Ortmann, Third Place, Class 2 155 Pounds

Cydni Buchanan, Sixth Place, Class 2 100 Pounds

Maggie Ortmann following her final match as a Blue Jay, a 7-0 win in the third-place match.