As senior Kayleigh Miller stepped onto the mat, she couldn’t help but think about the last time she faced the same Paola wrestler. 

“I think the last time I wrestled this girl, I wasn’t like thinking about what I was doing as much,” Miller said. 

But Miller came into the rematch with a plan in mind that helped her secure a win for herself on senior night.

“I’m going to keep moving and make sure I had another move ready and everything,” she said. “Yeah, I’m glad I won.”

Miller’s win was a bright spot in what was a rough night for the Cardinal wrestling teams. The girls team lost 44-24 and the boys team lost 66-18 against Paola Tuesday night. 

The girls were able to keep their duel close. At one point, the score was 26-24 in favor of Paola, but the Cardinals left the final three weight classes open causing the score to be more lopsided. 

Senior Mason Cox secured a win against his matchup for the boys team. However, that was the only win the boys had that didn’t come via an open weight class from Paola.

“Paola was very, very tough,” head coach Miles Cleveland said. “Some of them wrestled better than I thought they were going to wrestle. You know, you never want to lose, but there were some highlights that we can hang our hats on, I guess. But it was a tough one to swallow.” 

The girls team celebrated their four senior wrestlers and manager for senior night Tuesday as well.

“I love each and every one of them,” Cleveland said. “I’ve only been the head coach here this one year, but I’ve been in and out of the practice room over the last couple years. So, I’ve gotten to know them and their families. And they’re definitely going to be missed.” 

Senior Phoebe Fletcher was also able to come away from her match with a victory as she was able to pin her opponent in the first round. Fletcher said she was happy to get a win on senior night. 

“I always like senior night,” she said. “I like getting to walk out with my parents and stuff, and I’m glad that I won my matchup for senior night. It’s going to be a good memory.” 

Both teams have their goals set high for the remainder of the season. 

“I really want to go to state,” Miller said. “I would like the whole team to go.” 

Cleveland said he would like to see at least five of the girls qualify for state and see the team place in the top three at their league meet. As for the boys, Cleveland said he thinks a few could qualify for state as well. 

But Cleveland said he is not so much worried about whether the team wins or loses. 

“If they leave the wrestling room a better person than when they walked in the first time, then I’m doing all right,” Cleveland said. 

The girls have their league meet at 4:30 p.m. today in Bonner Springs. The boys will celebrate their senior night Monday night as both teams will wrestle Piper High School. 

Reach reporter Jack Denebeim at [email protected].

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