Lo-Ma/Woodbine’s Teagan Carritt pins down state title
Panther freshman scores three pins in four chances for school’s first girls’ state champ
By Matt Gengler, Sports Editor
sports@missourivalley times.com
It was a mix of emotions for freshmen Teagan Carritt, not awestruck by moment of being at her first state meet. She stayed relaxed and loose, having fun and enjoying every moment, but when the whistle blew, she focused in on her next target and took care of business.
The Logan-Magnolia/Woodbine freshman recorded three pins and a decision, including a pin in the Class 1A State Championship match over Jalyiah Gardner (Keokuk) to claim the school’s first girls state wrestling champion in school history.
“All I thought about the entire weekend was taking my shots and wrestling to my potential,” stated Carritt, who capped her first high school campaign at 46-4. “I treated the weekend like another tournament, as I felt I had the confidence to hang with anyone. After getting my first takedown, all I had to do was relax and have fun.”
The Panther freshmen was motivated entering the state-tournament field, earning just the #8 seed (16 man bracket).
“I pushed myself and practiced hard this final week of practice, upset at my second place finish at the regional qualifying meet (Jan. 31, Red Oak),” Carritt added. “I used that match as motivation heading into the state meet. I had to beat the best if I wanted to be the best. I’m going to stay hungry, because now I have the target on my back. This was my goal entering my first year of high school, I wanted a state championship and I wasn’t going to settle for anything less. I’m living my dream right now, no better feeling.”
Carritt concluded, “The support from my family, coaches and teammates helped me reach this point. I could not have done it with out them.”
The emotion sank in after all the interviews were finished and photos were taken. She had just lost her grandfather (Marty Carritt) right before the regional tournaments. She stayed strong, even after a second place finish at Regionals. The motivated freshmen was locked in and focused during every match.
When the family arrived after her emotional high, the family embraced their newly crowned state champ, with both tears and laughter, just as her grandfather had wanted.
They pointed toward the sky, and in unison, saying, "This one's for you".
Emotional, Motivated, and Focused - Mission impossible for tiny freshmen from western Iowa. -- Turned into Mission Accomplished.
State Champ has a Nice Ring to It. !!!!
2025 Class 1A Girls State Wrestling Championships
Feb. 6, 7, -- X-Tream Arena, Coralville
140: Teagan Carritt (fr., 46-4) – Class 1A State Champion
pinned Hailey Pedrick (Pekin), 2:44; won 7-5 decision over Chloe Sanders (Vinton-Shellsburg); pinned Lucy Konechne (Central Lyon/George Little Rock), 5:14; pinned Jalyiah Gardner (Keokuk), 3:48. State Tournament Record: 4-0. 1st State Medal.
