by Derek White
Goodland Cowgirls senior Destiny Gonzalez has had a sensational career qualifying for the Kansas State High School Activities Association’s state wrestling tournament four times. In her final year as a Cowgirl, Gonzalez finished a tough fought match to retain the title for a second straight year at 140 pounds at Salina’s Tony’s Pizza Event Center on Feb. 28.
In her freshman campaign, she took fourth place at 155 pounds then dropped weight for her sophomore year to finish as runner-up at 145 pounds. The last two years she has dominated the field claiming her second state championship at 140 pounds at the Tony’s Pizza Event Center on Feb. 28.
Her junior year she marched into the final match by defeating Gypsum’s Annabell Soell by technical fall 17-1, then beat Sabetha’s Nakita Lawrence by fall in the third period. In the semifinals, Gonzalez defeated Eureka’s Lyndsey Escareno by decision 8-4 to for her first trip to the final. In the gold medal match, she defeated Ellis’ Kaydawn Haag by decision 3-2.
To defend her title and win back-to-back championships, she first beat Praire View’s Lauren Steenburgen by technical fall 19-3. Then she defeated Larned’s Mia Munden by technical fall 19-4, followed by a drawn out win over Seneca-Nemaha’s Autumn Feldkamp by fall in the third period.
In the final, Gonzalez pulled off a dramatic win in sudden victory by collecting a clutch take-down over Rock Creek’s Brooklyn Burenheide. The two wrestled for the regional championship two weeks prior, and Burenheide had defeated Gonzalez in the final by a high scoring 21-15.
This time neither wrestler would score in the first period as both wrestlers spent their time feeling each other out. To start the second period, Gonzalez started on top and hit an early cradle, but Burenheide was able to quickly reverse positions and collect four back points to lead 6-0.
Gonzalez then earned an escape to close the gap to five points, then she hits a nice drag by to close the gap to two points with the take-down to finish the second period. Then in the third period, Gonzalez started on bottom and took a hard mat return straight to her back to give up two more back points putting the score at 8-4 near the middle of the third period.
Gonzalez then gets the escape, and began to work on closing the gap as the two wrestled for position until Burenheidi required medical attention pausing the action. Then with ten seconds reaming, Gonzalez hits a timely go behind to tie the match at 8-8.
In the first sudden victory period, Gonzalez hit another arm drag to gain the upper hand winning the match 11-8 to secure back-to-back championships.
Goodland also brought Lola Burk to the tournament at 115 pounds, she ended her day with 2-2 record but was unable to secure a spot at the podium. Danica Dautel also wrestled for the Cowgirls at the tournament but was unable to place after finishing 1-2.
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