Athlete of the Year:

Arrive. Raise Hell. Leave.

INDEPENDENCE — Liberty boys wrestling has started to make complete domination of the biggest class in the state of Missouri seem like the standard routine.

INDEPENDENCE — Kearney junior Eli Ashcroft won his third straight state title as six local wrestlers medaled during the Missouri Class 3 boys wrestling state tournament Friday, March 12 at Cable Dahmer Arena in Independence.

INDEPENDENCE — Of eight locals competitors who advanced to the girls state tournament, two walked away with state medals, including a 3-time state champion.

LIBERTY — A combined 18 boys wrestlers from Liberty and Liberty North finished in the top 3 at the Missouri Class 4 Sectional 4 tournament Saturday, Feb. 27 at Staley High School.

BELTON — Six Smithville wrestlers and five Kearney wrestlers finished in the top three at the Missouri Class 3 Sectional 4 tournament Saturday, Feb. 27 at Belton High School.

LIBERTY — Eight area girls wrestlers earned a spot at the state tournament by finishing in the top 3 at the Missouri Class 1 Sectional 4 tournament Saturday, Feb. 20 at Platte County High School.

LIBERTY — Liberty boys wrestling won its third straight district title on Saturday, Feb. 13 at Liberty High School.

KEARNEY — The Kearney boys wrestling team was not able to keep its district tournament streak alive, but the Bulldogs did have a trio of wrestlers win district titles on the way to a third-place team finish.

KEARNEY — Four Kearney wrestlers advanced to the medal round of the Missouri Class 1 District 8 girls wrestling tournament Saturday, Feb. 6 at Mid-Buchanan High School.

STALEY — Three area girls wrestling teams competed in the Missouri Class 1 District 7 meet Friday and Saturday, Feb. 5-6 at Staley High School and many of their competitors battled into the top four to advance to sectionals.

LIBERTY — The Liberty and Liberty North girls wrestling teams finished up their regular-season schedule heading into the district tournament with the Liberty North Soaring Eagle Scramble Friday, Jan. 22 at Liberty North High School.

SMITHVILLE — Smithville girls wrestling defeated Kearney 45-21 during a dual Tuesday, Jan. 19 at Smithville High School.

LIBERTY — Liberty North boys wrestling took second place at the Greater Kansas City Suburban Conference Invitational on Saturday, Jan. 16 at Staley High School.

KEARNEY — Kearney junior Eli Ashcroft keeps piling up victories as the two-time wrestling state champion picked up his 100th varsity win this weekend.

LIBERTY — Liberty North boys wrestling took first place in the Bronco Invitational Saturday, Dec. 12 at Lee’s Summit North.

SMITHVILLE — Smithville boys and girls wrestling teams did not take home any first-place team trophies this week, but both groups had some individual performers who stood out in tournament action.