By Angela Brunk

As a rising force in Kansas high school wrestling, Sierra Loader, a sophomore at Caney Valley High School, has quickly made a name for herself on the Bullpups’ roster. With fierce determination and a growing list of accomplishments, Loader enters this season with one major goal in mind: to win a state championship. After an impressive freshman year, she is more motivated than ever to elevate her performance.

Individually, Loader aims to sharpen her skills in every area of wrestling, with a special focus on improving technique and gaining more experience. She also hopes to compete in additional freestyle tournaments outside of high school and earn the opportunity to wrestle in Fargo, one of the nation’s premier events. For her team, the goals are equally ambitious. She wants to win regionals and place at state.

Loader is eager for the season to begin, especially the excitement surrounding the KanOkla home tournament, one of her favorite events. She looks forward to spending time with teammates, taking on new challenges, and continuing to grow within a program supported by coaches Cassidy Dabelko and Jerod Rigdon, who play a major role in her development.

She draws inspiration from God, her family, her coaches, and elite wrestlers like Kennedy Blades. During the offseason, Loader pushed herself through freestyle camps, tournaments, weightlifting, and practice. One of her proudest moments came after losing to an opponent at regionals, only to return stronger and beat her at state.

Last season, Loader finished with a standout 32-10 record. She was a Tri-Valley League Champion, placed 2nd at regionals, and finished 3rd at state, achievements she holds with pride.

Looking ahead, she hopes to wrestle in college on scholarship and pursue a future in athletics. Beyond wrestling, Loader also competes in volleyball and track.