Roell claims inaugural sectional title

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Kayla Roell has claimed the first-ever IHSAA Girls Wrestling Sectional Championship. She represents Milan well!

Milan junior Kayla Roell has practically done it all when it comes to grappling on the mat or racing on a dirt track but the Lady Indian racked up another accolade this past weekend, claiming the first-ever IHSAA Girls Wrestling Sectional Championship at Eastern Hancock.

Girls wrestling, which had spent time as an “emerging sport” under the Indiana High School Athletic Association, officially opened its inaugural state tournament on Saturday.

Roell has been a state finalist in the past as part of girls wrestling but now as an official IHSAA sport, the Lady Indian grappler made her mark as part of the 120-pound weight class at Eastern Hancock. After back-to-back wins via a bye and forfeit, Roell’s day officially started in the semifinals, defeating Richmond’s Geneva Summer by pinfall at the 41 second mark.

In the championship match Roell would not be challenged once again, exerting her dominance over Centerville’s Cami Davis. She would pin Davis 59 seconds into the match to hoist yet another trophy as part of her accomplished career.

Roell is now 28-1 on the season and is set for the IHSAA Girls Wrestling Regional this Friday at Alexandria. She will open the 120-pound bracket against Franklin Central’s Maya Stringer (10-8).

Roell has the best win-loss record in the field. The top four in each weight division advance to the IHSAA State Finals on January 17.