Before the boys took the mat, before the arena erupted with takedowns and title dreams, it was the girls who stepped onto the mats first.

For the first time under the NSAA banner, Nebraska’s female wrestlers had their own moment, their own time in the spotlight, their own history to write.

For High Plains Community, that history centered around two sisters.

One making the state tournament debut. One chasing immortality. Together, Bailey and Dakota Gress walked into Omaha’s CHI Health Center as pioneers. By the time they walked out, Dakota had become the first female state medalist in High Plains history—and perhaps more importantly, both had set the foundation for the future of girls wrestling in their community.

For Bailey Gress, just qualifying for the state tournament was a victory in itself.

The 120-pound sophomore had battled through a grueling season, clawing her way to Omaha, where she stood among the best wrestlers in Nebraska.

But state tournaments are unforgiving, and she drew a tough opening-round matchup against Bristol Prado of Chadron. Prado, a 41-match winner, came out fast, overwhelming Gress with a technical fall victory in just 2:41.

It was a brutal welcome to the state tournament, but Gress wasn’t going down without a fight.

She stormed back in the consolation bracket, wrestling with urgency, desperation, and an absolute refusal to go home empty-handed.

Her first-round wrestleback against Keirsten Heinrichs of Thayer Central was a statement. Bailey attacked, controlled the match, and finished it in 1:43—her first state tournament victory.

For one shining moment, her hand was raised, and the realization set in: she belonged here.

Her tournament ended in the next round with a loss to Minden’s Aliena Osterbuhr, but the result didn’t define her trip to Omaha.

Her first time at state wasn’t about the ending—it was about the beginning.

And, as her older sister made history, Bailey got a front-row seat to watch what could be possible for her next year.

One year ago, Dakota Gress arrived in Omaha just happy to be there. She was a first-time qualifier, stepping into an atmosphere that swallowed some wrestlers whole.

This time, she came back with a purpose. She wasn’t just there to wrestle—she was there to medal.

The 125-pound junior kicked off her tournament with a dominant opening round, controlling Cedar Bluffs’ Addison Newill on her way to a 10-3 decision victory.

The quarterfinals were more of the same. Gress dictated the pace against Gracie Wortman of Randolph, battling into the final minute before sealing the match with a pin at 5:53.

Suddenly, she was in the semifinals, just one win away from the state championship match.

But on the other side stood West Holt’s Felycia Kerkman, a wrestler with nearly 50 wins and a championship mindset.

Kerkman brought the fight, controlling Gress throughout a 9-0 major decision that sent the High Plains junior to the consolation bracket.

The dream of a state title was gone—but the dream of making history was still alive.

And Dakota wasn’t about to let that slip away. Her consolation semifinal match was a war, a grueling 4-3 decision over Kyler Zimmerman of Conestoga that secured her place on the podium.

When the final whistle blew, when her hand was raised, when the emotions poured in, she knew: She was the first. Not just her first medal. Not just a personal achievement. She was the first-ever High Plains girls state medalist.

The third-place match ended with a loss, a second-period pin against Lakeview’s Emma Glendy, but it hardly mattered.

She was already in the books. Already a trailblazer for future girls who would step onto the mat in a High Plains singlet.

“It means a lot,” Gress said. “I don’t think I ever saw myself getting fourth, let alone… I’m just happy I medaled.”

That medal, that piece of history, wasn’t just for her.

It was for every girl in the stands watching. It was for her younger sister, Bailey, who saw firsthand what was possible.

And it was for the next generation of girls in the wrestling room, wondering if they had a place in the sport.

“I hope it inspires a lot of little girls,” Gress said. “And I hope that this sport continues to grow.”

In a historic first NSAA-sanctioned girls only wrestling state tournament, High Plains left its mark.

Bailey earned her first win on the state stage. Dakota earned the school’s first state medal. And together, they set the foundation for the future of High Plains girls wrestling.

They will be back next year. And this time, they won’t just be hoping to make history.

They’ll be chasing more.