Shawnee Mission South High School Girls Wrestling Season Preview

A Season of Firsts and Fierce Determination In just their first year fielding a full lineup, the Shawnee Mission South Girls Wrestling team shattered expectations and made history. Under the leadership of Head Coach Gavin Spake, the Lady Raiders capped a milestone season with a perfect 10-0 dual meet record, a District Team Championship, Sunflower League Championship, Regional Runner-Up title, and a fourth-place finish at the Kansas State Championships. “Just two years ago, we only had three girls on the team,” Coach Spake noted. “Now we’re placing at state and winning championships. It’s been incredible growth.” Key Contributors and State Medalists The team was anchored by three strong captains—Sevyn Donovan, Stella Segura, and Rachael Wilson—who brought leadership, experience, and mentorship to the young roster. Six of the varsity wrestlers were freshmen, and three of them earned state medals: Lulu Kirk – State Champion at 235 lbs Siobhan Flanner – 2nd Place at 155 lbs Addilyn Masters – 3rd Place at 125 lbs Additional state medalists included: Stella Segura – 3rd at 115 lbs Rachael Wilson – 3rd at 125 lbs Sevyn Donovan – 3rd at 145 lbs Defining Moments and Breakthrough Performances The Lady Raiders found their rhythm after clinching the district and league titles, building momentum just in time for the postseason. A standout performance came from freshman Lulu Kirk, who avenged an earlier loss by pinning her opponent in the state finals to win the 235-pound title. “Lulu winning state as a freshman, and an underdog, was a huge moment for our program,” said Coach Spake. Mental Strength and Cohesive Culture The team’s ability to stay healthy and resilient was no accident. With a focus on mental training and preparation, the girls were equipped to handle pressure and high-stakes moments throughout the season. “We had a few bumps and bruises, but the girls handled adversity well. Their mindset was a major part of our success,” Coach Spake emphasized. Senior Leadership and a Bright Future Though the team had only two seniors, their influence was significant. They served as role models and set a standard for focus and preparation. With the vast majority of the roster returning next year, along with incoming talent, expectations are sky-high for the future of the program. Offseason Focus Coach Spake plans to keep the momentum going with summer wrestling and targeted skill development, especially in key positions identified during the season. “We’re proud of what we achieved, but we’re not done. We’re building something special here,” he added.