Smith-Cotton High School senior Kali Butts has accepted academic and athletic scholarships to wrestle at Grand View University in Des Moines, Iowa.

Butts, the daughter of Amanda and Keith Butts, was a four-year letter winner in wrestling for S-C. She was district champion twice and a state qualifier three times, taking third place in the 195-pound weight class this year to earn All-State recognition. Butts is the first women's wrestling state medalist in Smith-Cotton history.

Her S-C career record was 76-34, including matches against boys before girls wrestling was sanctioned by the Missouri State High School Activities Association; her record against female competitors was 68-16, including 28-4 her senior year.

Butts said she knew Grand View was the right fit when she walked into the wrestling room and saw Head Coach Angelo Crinzi’s demeanor in working with his athletes.
“The girls work really hard and I want to be part of a program that is going to push me to be a better wrestler,” she said. Other factors in her choice were the university’s smaller instructor-to-student ratio and its high rate for placing graduates in jobs in their degree field.

S-C Wrestling Head Coach Joseph Hulsey said: “Kali has helped pave the way for women's wrestling at Smith-Cotton. Over her four years in high school, she was an extremely hard worker who always wanted to improve. Her work ethic along with her skills helped her reach a lot of success in the sport. The S-C coaches wish her the best as she embarks on her journey at the next level.”

In the photo: Smith-Cotton High School senior Kali Butts has accepted academic and athletic scholarships to wrestle at Grand View University in Des Moines, Iowa. Seated with her are her parents, Amanda and Keith Butts; back, from left: S-C Principal Wade Norton, S-C Wrestling Assistant Coach Morgan Renfrow, brother Brayden Butts, and S-C Wrestling Head Coach Joseph Hulsey.

Smith-Cotton senior Kali Butts pins her opponent during a dual meet against Battle High on Dec. 9 in the S-C gym. Butts posted a 28-4 record her senior year.

Sedalia School District 200
Sedalia School District 200
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