Wahoo’s Kaylee Ricketts (right) wrestles for position against Crofton-Bloomfield’s Annabelle Poppe during the Girls 170lb championship match on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at CHI Health Center in Omaha.
OMAHA — Wahoo’s Kaylee Ricketts has been a catalyst for girls wrestling for the past two years.
But Saturday was not just about growing the sport for girls, but also inspiring young women in general with her second undefeated season and second consecutive state title.
Despite another state title and capping off a historic season, Ricketts had already won when she stepped out on the mat. Ricketts sported a shirt that said “Pro Girls Wrestling.”
“I wanted to wear it to show the girls and the girls in the crowd that they can do anything, they can be anything and do whatever they want and be a part of this sport if they want to,” Ricketts said.
Ricketts, 52-0, won the girls 170-pound division over Crofton-Bloomfield’s Annabelle Poppe in 2:39 at the CHI Health Center Omaha.
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“It means the world to me,” Ricketts said. “To be a state champ. I’m so excited. I hope little girls or even little boys can see this and come out and even try. Even if they don’t like it they just have to try. That’s all it takes.”
After winning the 165-pound weight class in 2022, Ricketts knew to wrestle to her strengths.
With a near pin at the end of the first period, the Wahoo senior found what she needed and captured her second state title early in the second.
“I wasn’t going to take any chances,” Ricketts said. “I knew I didn’t get a pin, but I knew (I) still had time to work.”
Ricketts finished her high school career 101-0.
“It’s fantastic knowing I haven’t lost in nearly three years,” Ricketts said. “It was hard, but I did it. The competition is getting better-and-better-and better and I appreciate that.”
Photos: Nebraska high school state wrestling championships
Fans wave their shirts at the state wrestling championships Saturday at CHI Health Center Omaha.
Lincoln Southwest’s Hunter Jacobsen wrestles Omaha Central’s Darelle Bonam during the Class A 120-pound final at the state wrestling championships Saturday at CHI Health Center Omaha.
Millard South’s Josiah Aburumuh collapses to the floor and celebrates after defeating North Platte’s Ryan Fox in the Class A 145-pound final at the state wrestling championships Saturday at CHI Health Center Omaha.
Omaha North’s Tyler Stewart throws Norfolk’s Jackson Bos during the Class A 220-pound final at the state wrestling championships Saturday at CHI Health Center Omaha.
Johnson County Center’s Jocelyn Prado is lifted into the air by her coach after she defeats Lincoln East’s Mileena Notaro in the girls 100-pound final at the state wrestling championships Saturday at CHI Health Center Omaha.
Millard South’s Josiah Aburumuh slams North Platte’s Ryan Fox during the Class A 145-pound final at the state wrestling championships Saturday at CHI Health Center Omaha.
Millard South’s JT Paxton Wrestles Lincoln East Joshua Shaner during the Class A 126-pound final at the state wrestling championships Saturday at CHI Health Center Omaha.
Omaha Westside’s Michael J. Meyers (right) celebrates after beating Millard South’s Henry Reilly in the Class A 160-pound final at the state wrestling championships Saturday at CHI Health Center Omaha.
Fillmore Central’s Alexander Schademann (left) wrestles Bishop Neuman’s Cade Lierman during the Class C 138-pound final at the state wrestling championships Saturday at CHI Health Center Omaha.
Johnson County Center’s Jocelyn Prad reacts after she defeats Lincoln East’s Mileena Notaro in the girls 100-pound final at the state wrestling championships Saturday at CHI Health Center Omaha.
Bishop Neumann’s Aaron Ohnoutka gains position over Valentine’s Will Sprenger during the Class C 126-pound final at the state wrestling championships Saturday at CHI Health Center Omaha.
Battle Creek’s Ayden Wintz (top) holds on to Gordon-Rushville’s Ashton Dane at during the Class B 138-pound final at the state wrestling championships Saturday at CHI Health Center Omaha.
Bishop Neuman’s Cade Liermanis is flipped by Fillmore Central’s Alexander Schademann during the Class C 138-pound final at the state wrestling championships Saturday at CHI Health Center Omaha.
Omaha Central’s Darelle Bonam Jr. wrestles Lincoln Southwest’s Hunter Jacobsen during the Class A 120-pound final at the state wrestling championships Saturday at CHI Health Center Omaha.
Aquinas coach Roy Emory lifts up Jakob Kavan after he won the Class D 138-pound final at the state wrestling championships Saturday at CHI Health Center Omaha.
Waverly’s Drew Moser wrestles Cozad’s Isaac White during the Class B 182-pound final at the state wrestling championships Saturday at CHI Health Center Omaha.
Millard South’s JT Paxton lifts Lincoln East Joshua Shaner off the mat during the Class A 126-pound final at the state wrestling championships Saturday at CHI Health Center Omaha.
Wahoo’s Kaylee Ricketts celebrates after beating Crofton-Bloomfield’s Annabelle Poppe (not pictured) in the girls 170-pound final at the state wrestling championships Saturday at CHI Health Center Omaha.
Wahoo’s Kaylee Ricketts pins Crofton-Bloomfield’s Annabelle Poppe during the girls 170-pound final at the state wrestling championships Saturday at CHI Health Center Omaha.
Waverly’s Drew Moser celebrates after beating Cozad’s Isaac White in the Class B 182-pound final at the state wrestling championships Saturday at CHI Health Center Omaha.
Millard South’s Logan Glynn takes a bow after he defeated Columbus’ Cadyn Kucera in the Class A 138-pound final at the state wrestling championships Saturday at CHI Health Center Omaha.
Cozad’s Isaac White and Waverly’s Drew Moser vie for position during the Class B 182-pound final at the state wrestling championships Saturday at CHI Health Center Omaha.
Battle Creek’s Ayden Wintz (top) wrestles Gordon-Rushville’s Ashton Dane during the Class C 113-pound final at the state wrestling championships Saturday at CHI Health Center Omaha.
Waverly’s Drew Moser removes his headgear after defeating Cozad’s Isaac White in the Clsas B 182-pound final at the state wrestling championships Saturday at CHI Health Center Omaha.
Wahoo’s Kaylee Ricketts walks out for her girls 170-pound final match at the state wrestling championships Saturday at CHI Health Center Omaha.
Omaha North’s Tyler Stewart is lifted up by his coaches following his win against Norfolk’s Jackson Bos (not pictured) in the Class A 220-pound final at the state wrestling championships Saturday at CHI Health Center Omaha.
Lincoln Southeast’s Cooper Johnson stays on the mat after losing to Omaha North’s Tyson Terry in the Class A 285-pound final at the state wrestling championships Saturday at CHI Health Center Omaha.
Lincoln Southeast’s Cooper Johnson is pinned by Omaha North’s Tyson Terry during the Class A 285-pound final at the state wrestling championships Saturday at CHI Health Center Omaha.
Battle Creek’s Ayden Wintz does a flip after defeating Gordon-Rushville’s Ashton Dane in the Class C 113-pound final at the state wrestling championships Saturday at CHI Health Center Omaha.
Millard South’s JT Paxton brushes himself off after beating Lincoln East Joshua Shaner in the Class A 126-pound final at the state wrestling championships Saturday at CHI Health Center Omaha.
Fillmore Central’s Alexander Schademann (left) grapples with Bishop Neuman’s Cade Lierman during the class C 138-pound final at the state wrestling championships Saturday at CHI Health Center Omaha.
Wrestlers take part in the parade of champions before the state championships on Saturday at CHI Health Center Omaha.
Omaha Central’s Darelle Bonam Jr. celebrates after beating Lincoln Southwest’s Hunter Jacobsen in the Class A 120-pound final at the state wrestling championships Saturday at CHI Health Center Omaha.
The headgear of Omaha Central’s Darelle Bonam Jr. comes loose while he grapples with Lincoln Southwest’s Hunter Jacobsen during the Class A 120-pound final at the state wrestling championships Saturday at CHI Health Center Omaha.
Waverly’s Drew Moser wrestles Cozad’s Isaac White during the Class B 182-pound final at the state wrestling championships Saturday at CHI Health Center Omaha.
Wahoo’s Kaylee Ricketts celebrates after beating Crofton-Bloomfield’s Annabelle Poppe (not pictured) in the girls 170-pound final at the state wrestling championships Saturday at CHI Health Center Omaha.
Lincoln East’s Mileena Notaro wrestles Johnson County Center’s Jocelyn Prado in the girls 100-pound final at the state wrestling championships Saturday at CHI Health Center Omaha.
Wahoo’s Kaylee Ricketts (right) wrestles for position against Crofton-Bloomfield’s Annabelle Poppe during the Girls 170lb championship match on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at CHI Health Center in Omaha.
Fillmore Central’s Alexander Schademann is declared the winner of the Class C 138-pound final at the state wrestling championships Saturday at CHI Health Center Omaha.
Lincoln East’s Gabe Turman is declared the winner of the Class A 132-pound final against Norfolk’s Cayden Empkey at the state wrestling championships Saturday at CHI Health Center Omaha.
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