The preseason watch list for the 2027 Ms. Kentucky Wrestling award is out too (see the post). Seniors only. Here’s where the eight sit in the KentuckyMat preseason rankings:
| Wrestler | Team | Wt | Preseason rank | 2026 record | 2026 state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Juliette Ruiz | Fern Creek | 114 | #1 | 38-0 | 1st |
| Emma Hood | Highlands | 152 | #1 | 30-1 | 1st |
| Kali Nichols | Daviess County | 165 | #1 | 24-1 | 2nd |
| Eryah Reese | Madison Central | 185 | #1 | 33-3 | 2nd |
| Brailey Jackson | Union County | 126 | #1 | 29-4 | 2nd |
| Amy Velasco | Lafayette | 145 | #2 | 31-7 | 1st |
| Bralyn Maynard | Prestonsburg | 152 | #2 | 22-1 | 2nd |
| Chloe Gallahue | Boyle County | 145 | #3 | 33-3 | 3rd |
The one senior ranked #1 at her weight who isn’t on the list: Kayla Maslonka (Fort Campbell, 132, 28-6, 3rd at state).
Two weights have two contenders each: Hood and Maynard at 152 (Hood won last year’s state final 3-2), and Velasco and Gallahue at 145, where a sophomore, Harrison County’s Jenny White, is ranked #1 ahead of both.
Who’s your pick, and who’s missing?