By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
February 12, 2023, was going to be a memorable day for Great Bend wrestler Kirra Stevens. Then a sophomore competing in her first regional tournament in Dodge City, she pinned her first two opponents and was just one win shy of qualifying for her first state tournament. Then everything came to a halt 18 seconds into the second period of her semifinal match against Garden City's Karime Guzman.
"I was really excited," Stevens said. "It was basically my first year wrestling and I was at regionals. I was going to make it to state that day. I was ready to get out. I chose bottom because I needed points. I tried to get up. I used my arms and it didn't work well, needless to say. My arm kind of snapped in half."
The break was audible to those around the mat. Stevens also heard the snap but felt no pain.
"I was really confused," she said. "I thought my elbow just went out of place. That's all I thought it was. After it happened, I just laid on the mat unable to move my arm."
Though the injury would forever change how Stevens wrestles, it did not stop her. She had a metal rod inserted in her forearm and returned to action the following season, finishing second in her first varsity tournament 10 months after the injury. She went on to finish second at regionals as a junior and pinned her first state opponent.
The expectations continue to grow in Stevens' senior season. She finished second at the Great Bend Christmas Clash, losing only to two-time Class 3-2-1A state runner-up Atavia Cain of Oakley.
Tuesday night, she took a 22-7 record into dual action against Hays. Ranked No. 3 at 170 pounds, she learned just before action began that she would be wrestling up at 190 pounds to help the Lady Panthers secure points. There was a small obstacle: Hays sophomore Eleanor Stoffel, ranked No. 2 at the heavier weight.
Stevens controlled Stoffel from the start, getting takedown points midway through the first period and pinning her opponent 31 seconds into the second period. The win secured six team points and a 45-36 dual win against the No. 3 Lady Indians.
"I just love wrestling," she said. "I love being on the team and seeing everybody uplift and support each other. When we do well at tournaments, it just makes everything better."
Past state tournaments featured wrestlers from Class 6A and 5A. This year, Great Bend will wrestle only against Class 5A schools. Stevens and the Lady Panthers head to regional action in Topeka on Feb. 15.