Newton senior becomes the state’s first three-time medalist
By Mark Schnabel
Newton Kansan
PARK CITY — Newton High School senior wrestler Jaymie Murry was a trailblazer for the Railers in her past seasons.
She added another step to her journey by being the first Girl Railer to reach the state finals following a 3-0 Wednesday day at the Class 6-5A State Championships at Hartman Arena.
Become the Railers’ first three-time medalist finishing sixth as a sophomore and fourth as a junior.
“It’s so surreal right now,” Murry said. “I put in all that work and it paid off. I have my priorities right with God and wrestling, and everything else falls into place.
Murray opened against Blue Valley Southwest’s Hayley Flores, hitting a first period takedown and back point, a second period reversal and back point, and a third period breakaway and takedown for a big 13–0 decision.
In the quarterfinals against Wichita North’s Kimberly Valdovinos, Murry needed just 28 seconds to score the pin to capture her third straight medal.
In the semifinal against Olathe West’s Laney Finazzo, Murry snapped a headlock for a takedown, but was quickly flipped and placed onto her back, giving up three points. Murry scored a run late in the period and trailed 5-3. In the second period, Murry hit a two-point near-fall, gave up a run, scored another takedown, and gave up another run, leaving the game tied 7–7.
In the third period it took Murry just five seconds to score a break and was able to hold off Finazzo for the win. Murry was hit by a stall warning with 54 seconds left, but managed to stay active for the rest of the game.
“I’ve never fought her before,” Murry said. “I’ve never seen her until this tournament. She is a pretty solid fighter. I had faith. I was a little nervous at the start of the game, but went in thinking I could take care of business. Normally, (giving up back stitches) would rattle me. I knew it was going to be a tough match. Good things are never easy. I knew I had the willpower to fight back and win the game.
“My coaches work a lot on something they call a baseball catch. Once we’re ahead, we don’t want to give up any points. You don’t want to stop, but you are so aware of your legs. Our coaches are really good. I was a little nervous about the stall warning, but I did what I could.”
Murry, 31-8, will face 34-0 Sage Rosario of Manhattan in the final. Rosario scored a 31 second pinfall over Murry in the regional finals.
“He’s definitely cleaned my watch before,” Murry said. “She is definitely the wrestler. She’s only a second year. My coach worked a lot with me on defense. We’ll try to work some offense, just in case. I just want to leave it all out there on the carpet. This may be my last chance to fight or compete.
Unlike previous years, Murry is not alone in the state. He has three competing teammates. All three ended the day 1-1, reaching the quarterfinals.
“It’s great,” Murry said. “I am so proud of my team this year. Everyone made it to day two. I don’t think they realize how proud I am of them. I’ll have to send them a message to express how proud I am of everyone.”
At 110 pounds, freshman Avery Hinojos made her in-state debut against Kansas City Piper’s Maia Dolinar, scoring a first-period takedown and blocking a second-period cradle for the pin.
Hinojos faced 28-1 Sarah Zimmerman of Hays in the quarterfinals. Zimmerman scored throughout the game, but she failed to get the pinfall, settling for an 18-0 technical fall in the third period.
At 120 pounds, senior Emily Torres received a first-round forfeit win over Wichita West’s Ariyana Norphlet. In the quarterfinals, Torres faced Shawnee Mission West’s Ella Weber. Torres gave up breakaways early in both the second and third periods. Torres gave up a penalty point and a takedown, losing the match 5-0.
At 130 pounds, freshman Jaeann James made her state debut against Shawnee Heights’ Isabel Reyes, taking a 6-1 lead early on and 8-4 after the first period. A late breakaway and one-point penalty for James in the closing seconds of the second period kept the score at 11-11. Down 15-14 in the third period, James scored a breakaway, a takedown and then the pinfall with 36 seconds left in the game.
In the quarterfinal match against top seed Nicole Redmond of Olathe South, James was pinned in 49 seconds.
Hinojos, Torres and James all face off in the second round consolation at 9 on Thursday.
In the team standings, Newton is 17th out of 60 teams. After the first day of competition, Garden City leads Dodge City 86-66. Washburn Rural are third on 57, three points ahead of rival Seaman. Olathe North is fifth on 53. Newton has 33 points.
Class 6-5A State Girls Wrestling
Team scores
Newtonian results
110 – Avery Hinojos (1-1): 1. W Maia Dolinar, Kansas City Piper 3:07; L Sarah Zimmerman, Hays 18-0 tech.fall (5:25).
120 – Emily Torres (1-1): 1. W Ariyana Norphlet, Wichita West, forfeit; QF. L Ella Weber, Shawnee Mission West 5-0.
130 – Jaeann James (1-1): 1. W Isabel Reyes, Shawnee Heights 5:24; QF. L Nicole Redmond, Olathe South :49.
155 – Jaymie Murry (3-0): 1. W Haley Flores, Blue Valley Southwest May 13-0 Dec.; QF. Kimberly Valdovinos, Wichita North :29; sf. W Laney Finazzo, Olathe West 7-6.
