The Powell Lady Panther wrestling team looked toward State Wrestling with determination, ambition, and dedication. On March 1, 2026, at the Ford Wyoming Center in Casper, WY, they left everything out on the mat and emerged with the 3rd-place trophy and all five girls placing.
Securing the 3rd-place trophy for the girls were 1st-place finisher, senior Allison Leblanc; 2nd-place finisher, senior Nalani Jordan; 3rd-place finisher, junior Caydee Eden; 4th-place finisher, junior Eleasah Horsely; and 5th-place finisher, freshman Avery Leblanc.
Senior Allison Leblanc made history as the first female wrestler to win State.
“The new records I hold are the highest winning record in school history,” Leblanc said. “I was the first ever female wrestler out of Powell to take State.”
While holding a new record is a great accomplishment, it wasn’t the only challenge. The psychological aspect quickly became something they had to mentally prepare for, and not just one of the girls, but all of them.
“Going into State, with a new coach this season, my biggest challenge was my mindset,” junior Caydee Eden said. “I had to take everything and everyone else out of the picture and wrestle for myself.”
As one door opens, another closes, and the girls were very successful during State, even beating some of the bigger schools like Star Valley. They set new records with all five of the girls placing.
“We’re a new program, so that’s our first team trophy,” Jordan said. “It’s also very impressive because we only had five girls go to State and all five of us placed, which doesn’t generally happen.”
For being one of the smallest teams, the Powell girls had a fantastic season. The seniors are planning to head to college and are ready to start a new chapter.
“After high school, it’ll be club wrestling my first year, and then it’ll transfer to a D1 Varsity program at Brown University in Rhode Island,” Jordan said. “But you know, what I’m really focusing on this club season is freestyle, Greco-Roman, and just getting ready for the next chapter.”
While college is just around the corner for two of these girls, the juniors are ready to step forward and continue their high school career, and placing for state was a huge accomplishment for some of the others, too.
“Over the past three years of wrestling, everything has been building up to this year,” Eden said. “I made it to the state and was finally able to place. I placed in the top 3, which was my primary goal this season.”
The girls are all proud of a good season and can’t wait to either start the next chapter or just continue with the sport they love. But they left with everything they had on that state mat.
“I wouldn’t change a thing,” Leblanc said. “I believe this is God’s plan, and I am proud of myself for putting in time during the off-season. I truly believe that made a huge impact.”
While some learned to adapt due to injuries, these competitors pushed through and made it possible to achieve high goals at State.
“I’m incredibly proud of each and every one of these girls,” junior Eleasah Horsely said. “Including the one who didn’t make it to state.”
