Seneca Wrestling Crowns Three State Champions, Finishes Second as a Team

Seneca High School wrestling team dominates at the Class 2 state tournament with three individual state titles and a runner-up team finish.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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The Seneca Indians wrestling team had a standout performance at the Class 2 state tournament, crowning three individual state champions and finishing second as a team. Senior Jace Renfro and junior Brant Laughlin each won their second state titles, while transfer student Caden Groom captured his first state championship. Seneca's strong showing resulted in the program's 32nd state trophy.

Why it matters

Seneca's wrestling success reflects the community's deep-rooted tradition of athletic excellence and competitiveness. The town is known for producing top-tier high school athletes, and the wrestling team's performance upholds this reputation. The three state champions and runner-up finish demonstrate Seneca's ability to develop elite talent and compete at the highest level.

The details

Renfro, a senior, won the 160-pound title with an 8-3 decision over Odessa's Michael Scott. Laughlin, a junior, came from behind to win the 144-pound championship 5-4 over Excelsior Springs' Cooper Collins. Groom, a transfer student, won the 132-pound title in overtime, defeating Father Tolton's Graden Anderson 11-4. Seneca also had a runner-up finish from Eli Manley at 138 pounds and a sixth-place finish from Koda Neilson at 106 pounds.

  • The Class 2 state wrestling tournament took place on February 26, 2026.

The players

Jace Renfro

A senior at Seneca High School and a two-time state wrestling champion, Renfro also won a state championship as part of the school's football team.

Brant Laughlin

A junior at Seneca High School and a two-time state wrestling champion, Laughlin credits his success to the guidance of three-time state champion and current Seneca coach Will Roark.

Caden Groom

A transfer student to Seneca High School who won the 132-pound state championship in his first season with the team, crediting the quality of his training partners and coaches for his success.

Eli Manley

A Seneca High School wrestler who finished as the runner-up in the 138-pound weight class at the state tournament.

Koda Neilson

A Seneca High School wrestler who placed sixth in the 106-pound weight class at the state tournament.

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What they’re saying

“Seneca is a great community and great town. It is a town full of competitors. We get our competitiveness from our tradition. TPC, tradition, pride and class, is a real thing. It is the base of our town.”

— Jace Renfro, Senior (ozarkssportszone.com)

“I wanted to get into my offense and score points, score points, score points. That is what my philosophy has been all year.”

— Jace Renfro, Senior (ozarkssportszone.com)

“Last year I let him get to his stuff early and he did it again. He is really good at getting to his stuff and he did a great job, but I just had to pull through again like I did last year. I knew my gas tank is the best in the state. No one can go six minutes with me.”

— Brant Laughlin, Junior (ozarkssportszone.com)

“Will Roark has been with me through it all. He has made me the wrestler that I am today. I don't know where I would be without him. All credit goes to Coach Roark without a doubt.”

— Brant Laughlin, Junior (ozarkssportszone.com)

“The strategy was to try to push the pace and get in there as many times as I could. Not every shot was finished, but at least I was in there trying. In my mind, I was (thinking) if I can keep getting in there, I am going to end up coming out on top.”

— Caden Groom (ozarkssportszone.com)

What’s next

The Seneca wrestling team will look to build on their strong state tournament performance and aim to capture the team state championship next season.

The takeaway

Seneca's wrestling success reflects the community's deep-rooted tradition of athletic excellence and competitiveness. The town's ability to develop elite talent and compete at the highest level is a point of pride for the Seneca community.