Putnam City’s girls wrestling program is sending five wrestlers to the state tournament. That sets a school record and Putnam City district record as well.

Five Lady Pirates placed in the top three of their weights, including one champion Tuesday and Wednesday (Feb. 12-13) at the Class 6A West Regional at Yukon.

The Class 6A State Wrestling Tournament will be Feb. 22-24 at Jim Norick Arena at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds.

Putnam City coach Erin Wood said she was proud of her squad but wasn’t surprised by the regional results.

“The success that we are seeing today did not come overnight,” Wood said via email. “The harvest was planted back in August when they put their all into intense conditioning workouts and weightlifting.  Then once the mats went down, they focused on drilling technique multiple hours a day.”

Wood said she has a mantra that her wrestlers might be tired of hearing that “If you take care of the details [technique & focus], the scoreboard and medals will take care of themselves.” 

“They poured out their blood (yes, literally sometimes) and sweat onto the mat to make themselves the better and the accolades they have received this season have come as a result of that hard work,” Wood said.

“Each of our girls wrestled hard and the few losses that they tallied will be used as teachable moments from which we will learn and grow.”

Sophomore Angelina Bezner finished in third place at 120 pounds. Bezner was a state qualifier last season but is new to Putnam City.

Bezner finished first in the Putnam City, Putnam City North and Yukon tournaments. She added a second place finish at Coppell (Texas) “Mrs. Claus” Tournament. She also finished fourth in the SuperGirl64 tournament held at Tulsa Union.

“(Bezner) is a fierce and aggressive wrestler in her matches,” Wood said. “Off the mat she is easy going and lighthearted but as soon those singlet straps come up and the headgear goes on she is a beast.”

Senior Alexis Ahtone earned second place at 130 pounds. Ahtone missed last due to injury. 

Ahtone finished first in the Putnam City North and Yukon tournaments. She finished second at Coppell and fourth at SuperGirl64.

“Alexis is a leader within the program,” Wood said, “She is a hard worker and the type of athlete to push herself to her limits repeatedly until the limits no longer exist.”

Wood recalled that Ahtone’s first experience with wrestling was when she was waiting on her brother to finish a little league wrestling practice.

“She said, ‘I can do that’ and the coach said, ‘let’s see!’”

Sophomore Ryleigh Lefkowitz finished second in the 155-pound weight class. Lefkowitz won a state title last season at 145 pounds.

This season, she finished at first in the Putnam City, Putnam City North and Yukon tournament. Lefkowitz earned a second-place finish at Coppell and fourth place at SuperGirl64.

“She is a highly skilled wrestler with great technique and good instincts,” Wood said.

Senior Ashley Maldonado finished third at 170 pounds. Maldonado was a state qualifier last season.

This season, she finished first at Putnam City, Putnam City North, Yukon and Coppell. Maldonado added a third-place finish at SuperGirl 64.

She has only two losses on the season.  Maldonado competed at 190 pounds last season and cut to 170 pounds this season.

“Ashley has had an amazing senior season,” Wood said, adding that Maldonado’s move to 170 pounds, “has paid dividends.”

“She works hard in practice and stepped into a leadership role early this season by staying late after her practice to help with the training of our newer female wrestlers.”

Freshman Tessa Goodner won the championship at 190 pounds. Goodner won the junior high titles the in 2023 and 2024 at 175 pounds.

This season, she won Putnam City, Putnam City North, SuperGirl64 and Yukon. Goodner finished fourth at Coppell.

“Freshman year for a wrestler is a unique because you have an opportunity to win two state titles in the same year,” Wood said.  “She will now be in pursuit of the high school state title now that she has qualified at regionals.”

Goodner has a familial tie to another state champion Pirate. Her great-grandfather, George Goodner, was the first wrestler in Putnam City history to win a state championship for the Pirates in 1952.