This year, the St. Charles High School wrestling team had an unforgettable season, sending five athletes to the Missouri state championships. The qualifiers were: Violet Lewis (170), D’Monta Bagby (150), Derek Plaza Smither (126), Jackson Gebhard (106) And Braylen Ballard(215). 

The journeys were different, but all of them represented St. Charles with pride and hard work at the State tournament that took place in Columbia Feb. 25-28.  

Two wrestlers Bagby and Plaza Smither placed at State, 2nd and 5th place respectively.

Violet Lewis – 170 lbs.

As the only girl from the team to qualify for State this year, Violet Lewis carried both excitement and emotion with her. 

She said she was

Her district bracket was challenging, and she felt the competition was tougher that expected. Still, she said, ¨I feel like everybody wrestled very hard, and I’m really proud of myself and the whole team.” 

Looking back, Violet said she was very excited to practice in the Mizzou wrestling room, calling it a fun and unique experience every year. 

D’Monta Bagby – 150 lbs. 

For senior D’Monta Bagby, this season was both his first and last chance to qualify for State and he made the most of it by becoming a District champion and advancing to State, which  meant a lot to him. 

He said qualifying felt good because ¨I put in the work.¨ 

When asked what he was looking forward to he said, ¨ just wrestling, having fun. Gonna be my last time wrestling.¨

Bagby ended his season with and incredible achievement: he placed 2nd in the entire state. 

Braylen Ballard – 215 lbs. 

Ballard’s experience at districts showed toughness and grit. In his first match, he hit his head on the floor and wasn’t fully himself. 

He said, “I was kind of out of it for my first match, but the rest of my matches just kind of wrestled through them.” 

He talked about how districts felt harder than other tournaments this season, but he kept pushing. 

Ballard had a great mindset going into State: “I’ve been wrestling all year to go State and qualify and medal, so it’ll feel pretty good. But if I don’t, I will have fun wrestling either way.” 

Jackson Gebhard  – 106 lbs.  

Qualifying for state as a freshman is a major accomplishment, and Jackson knew the work he put in paid off. 

He said he was proud to be a qualifier and that his dedication during the offseason helped him get there. “I lifted weight everyday always trying to improve.”  

His mindset going into state was humble. 

“I’m feeling pretty good that I can medal this year. I know my opponents have been working harder than me, but I feel like I have a good chance.” 

Derek Plaza Smither -126 lbs. 

Plaza Smither showed determination and calm focus. This season was meaningful for him and he went into State ready to finish strong.

His hard work paid off, when he placed 5th in the entire state securing a spot on the podium and finishing his season as a state medalist.