Nixa’s Kelsey Watts has set a new career-high for pins with 31 and counting, after she won by fall four times to take the 105-pound championship at the COC Tournament over the weekend.
Watts credits Ozark’s Damien Moseley for helping her hike her pins total. Moseley, a two-time State place winner for the Tigers, and Watts are boyfriend-girlfriend.
“His input has definitely helped me with my knowledge," Watts said. “I’ve learned a lot from him. He’s helped me become more dominant on top. Last year, I wasn’t good on top at all. I couldn't ride anyone out. If I didn't get my turn, there was nothing I could do. I've gotten better with my turns and have been getting more pins.”
Watts (31-2) needed just :43 to pin Ozark’s Emily Price (34-10) in the 106 title tilt.
Watts is ranked No. 1 at 106 in Class 2 by MissouriWrestling.com.
“I didn't expect to be this successful this year. I'm thankful,” she said.
Watts made her first trip to State last year and finished fourth at 120. This time around, she will enter the post-season with higher aspirations.
“I’m shooting for the top,” she said.
Watts suspects one of her top challengers will be Sandy Breeden, of Liberty. In their only matchup this season, Watts edged Breeden 4-3 at The Wonder Woman Meet.
“(She) has it out for me,” Watts said. “I'm looking to wrestle her again at State. Hopefully, I can make there be a bigger gap between us and prove I'm the better wrestler.”
Nixa won its third COC team championship in as many years by a hefty 116-point margin over the rest of the field.
Also winning individual championships for the Lady Eagles were Ashton Mayes, Mylee Harper, Abigail Counts, Addison Harkins, Brenya Crahan and Caly Dupree.
Mayes (30-9) pinned Ozark’s Katie Hartgraves (22-16) in 3:53 in the 110 final.
Harper (31-9) won by fall in 1:21 against Branson’s Daphne Worley for the 120 championship.
Counts (30-10) picked up a pin in 3:35 against Willard's Adia Hull in the 125 title match.
Harkins (42-5) pinned Ozark’s Maelynn Sundlie (35-8) in 3:19 for the 130 championship.
Crahan (36-0) had a fall in :41 versus Willard’s Haley Autterson for the 145 title.
Dupree (28-2) pinned Willard’s Ellie Higginbotham in 3:40 in the 155 final.
