The Malad girls wrestling team put on a strong performance at the state finals, with three wrestlers representing the Dragons on the mat. Despite tough competition, the team showcased determination and resilience, led by Bella Smith’s impressive 5th-place finish in the 235-pound division, making her the first Malad Lady Dragon to place in the state finals. 

Smith Takes 5th at 235 Pounds

Bella Smith (25-8) was the standout performer for Malad, securing a 5th-place medal and contributing 15 team points. She started her tournament with a forfeit win in the opening round but faced a tough quarterfinal loss against Charlie Robinson (Rigby). Smith bounced back with consecutive victories, including an ultimate tie-breaker win over Kassie Voss (Post Falls) before falling in the consolation semifinal. In her 5th-place match, Smith ended her tournament on a high note, pinning Ella Chandler (Fruitland) in 2:02 to secure a podium finish.

Carter and Shulz Fight Through Consolation Brackets

At 185 pounds, Cale Carter (23-8) displayed impressive grit, earning 7 team points. She started strong with a pinfall victory over Lylah Arce (Parma) in the first round but fell in the quarterfinals to Minico’s Rebecka Vail. Carter responded with a quick 46-second pin over Hallie Spackman (Preston) in the consolation bracket before her run ended against Ellie Hansen (Madison).

In the 138-pound division, Aubrey Shulz (39-17) battled through a tough bracket, adding 4 team points for Malad. After dropping her opening match, she rebounded with back-to-back wins, including a 7-6 decision over Celestial Westover (West Side). This was a big personal win for Shulz as she had fallen to Westover multiple times earlier in the season. However, her tournament run ended in the third round of consolations against Jesse Rice (Clearwater Valley).

A Strong Showing for Malad Wrestling

Though the Malad girls didn’t bring home a state champion, their performances reflected the hard work and progress they have made throughout the season. Smith’s top-five finish highlighted a strong showing at state, and both Carter and Shulz demonstrated resilience in the face of tough competition.

With a solid foundation in place, the Malad girls wrestling team will look to build on this success next season.

As coaches, we are extremely proud of all our girls and the progress they have made over the year. We are looking forward to next year’s season and setting new milestones for the girls.