Colby Girls Wrestlers Open 2026 With Strong Showing at Dodge City Lady Demon Showdown
January 13, 2026
The Colby High School girls wrestling team returned to action on January 10 by traveling to Dodge City for the Lady Demon Showdown, opening competition for the new year against one of the deepest and most competitive fields they will see this season. Coming off a long holiday break, the tournament provided an important measuring stick as the Eagles tested themselves against large schools from across Kansas and neighboring Oklahoma.
Colby finished seventh overall in the 17-team field with 101.5 points, placing them in the middle of a tournament loaded with perennial state contenders. Manhattan claimed the team title with 202 points, followed by Gardner Edgerton and Dodge City, while several 5A and 6A programs filled out the top half of the standings. The Eagles’ finish reflected a day of solid individual performances, mixed with opportunities for growth against elite competition.
Head coach Andrew Flanagin said the meet was exactly what his team needed after the extended break.
“I thought they did well, they were really needing the competition. It’s a long break in between and they were starting to get frustrated,” Flanagin said. “The tournament was good overall, it’s easy to focus on the things that went wrong or technique that needs fixed. But I was happy with the day. The competition is excellent, it’s a well ran tournament and we get to see big schools from all over the state, and Oklahoma.”
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Colby had several strong individual finishes highlighted by runner-up placements from Morgan Hills at 135 pounds and Dallis Stieben at 155. Hills advanced to the championship match with three falls before dropping a hard-fought final to an undefeated opponent from Manhattan. Stieben also put together an impressive run with four falls before meeting a tough Dodge City wrestler in the title bout.
Gala White continued her strong season at 115 pounds by placing third, scoring 17 team points with three falls on the day. Alana Fabrizius added another podium finish for Colby, earning third place at 190 with four pins across her matches. Makenzi Rhymer finished fourth at 170, while Faith Hoover battled to a sixth-place finish at 120.
Depth across the lineup also contributed to Colby’s team score. Adrian Salcido placed sixth at 100, Lux Vrbas earned seventh at 105, and Heidi Gray finished ninth at 125. Josalyn Boyson fought back through the consolation bracket at 130, while several younger wrestlers gained valuable varsity experience against high-level opponents throughout the day.
While there were positives throughout the lineup, Flanagin acknowledged that the meet also exposed areas the Eagles will need to address as the season progresses.
“There were some that were disappointed in their results at Dodge, but I think we were too timid against the good opponents and had mental block. We should have won some of the tougher matches,” Flanagin said. “So, going into Newton I want them to be focused on their attitude and effort rather than the result.”
The Lady Demon Showdown served as both a confidence builder and a reality check, giving Colby a clear picture of where they stand and what needs to improve. With the new year officially underway, the Eagles will look to build on the experience gained in Dodge City as they prepare for upcoming tournaments, including a trip to Newton on January 14, where the emphasis will be on aggressiveness, mindset, and continued development on the mat.