COLUMBIA - Kaylee James became the first Carthage girls wrestler to earn a state championship for Carthage High School at this weekend's MSHSAA State Tournament held at Mizzou Arena in Columbia. 

Falling short of a state championship in the 2024-25 season fueled Carthage sophomore Kaylee James to not let that happen again.

Last season, she made it to the championship match at state and fell to three-time state champion Kailey Benson of Francis Howell Central by a 19-3 tech fall.

This time, James broke through in the 140-pound weight division. She dominated in her championship match against Staley junior Ja'Ziya Miles and took a 16-3 major decision to earn her spot atop the podium. She is the first girls wrestler in school history to win a title.

"It feels great to be the first Carthage girls wrestler to win a state title," James said. "My technique was great. I just wanted to shoot, shoot, shoot, and I got those points on her."

James had a tough match leading up to the championship as she had to take on Fort Osage freshman Ariel Biggs, who came into the tournament with a 48-2 record. James and Biggs split a pair of bouts earlier in the season, and James ended up taking the rubber match as she edged Biggs 6-5.

"I just told myself I have to wrestle smart," James said of her match with Biggs. "I thought, 'Don't do anything dumb,' and that's what I did."

-Ozark Sports Zone