Keanna Conrad scores 2nd consecutive state champion wrestling title
Blackfoot High School sophomore Keanna Conrad (right) faces off against Century’s Kyler Scott in the match she won on March 1 in Pocatello.
By BREE BAKER
Sho-Ban News
POCATELLO — Keanna Conrad, Shoshone-Bannock tribal member, claimed her second state championship March 1 at the Idaho High School Girls State Championship at ICCU Dome in Pocatello.
She is a 16-year-old sophomore at Blackfoot High School. She wrestles in the 132-pound division and has gone undefeated throughout her entire high school career.
In 2024, she won her first state title in the 126-pound division.
It has only been a couple of months into the year and Conrad has been busy competing and winning in wrestling tournaments around the state. She has competed in six wrestling competitions since January and took home first place each time. In Nampa, on January 4, she placed first in the 2025 Rollie Lane Girls Invitational in the 132-pound division. She is a two-time Rollie Lane champion, in 2024 she won first place in the 126-pound division.
BHS state champion wrestler Keanna Conrad with her mother Johnette Hill after the win.
In Nampa, on January 11, she placed first in the 8th Annual Jaybird Memorial Girls Wrestling Tournament in the 132-pound division. In Idaho Falls, on January 18, she placed first in the 2025 Tiger Grizz Girls Invitational in the 132-pound division. She is also a two-time Tiger Grizz champion, in 2024 she won first place in the 126-pound division.
In Burley, on February 1, she placed first in the Big Mountain Girls Invitational in the 132-pound division. Conrad is a two-time Big Mountain champion, in 2024 she won first place in the 126-pound division.
In Idaho Falls, on February 22, she placed first in IHSAA Girls – Districts V-VI in the 132-pound division. Conrad is a two-time District V-VI champion, in 2024 during her freshman year she won first place in the 126-pound division.
The 2025 Idaho High School State Wrestling Championship matches began on Friday, February 28, at the ICCU Dome in Pocatello. Conrad’s first match was against Madeline Hatchett from Glenns Ferry High School, she won by a tech fall 15-0. Her second match for the day was against Lexeigh Dowd from Twin Falls High School, she won with a pin, 3-0 in 39 seconds. The matches continued Saturday, March 1, Conrad’s third match was against Katerina Ivanova from Bishop Kelly High School, she won 13-1. Conrad’s fourth and final match of the competition was against Kyler Scott from Century High School. Their match went into overtime, but Conrad won with a score of 3-0.
Keanna Conrad action on the mat during the match against Kyler Scott at the ICCU Dome in Pocatello.
After her win she hugged the coaches, her opponent, and ran to her mother who was sitting by the mat where the two shared an emotional embrace. After the match Conrad took interviews and headed to the podium to receive her awards, coach Lana Keeler handed out medals to the winners of the 132-pound division.
Conrad said, “It feels great” when asked how it feels to win a state championship twice. The BHS sophomore is currently undefeated and has been for the past two years, it’s her biggest accomplishment in wrestling so far.
Conrad and Scott show good sportsmanship with a hug after their final match.
Some of her favorite things about wrestling is traveling, making new friends, and getting to go new places. Wrestling has allowed Conrad to travel and meet people from different places, her favorite place she’s traveled to for wrestling is “probably Iowa because it’s so pretty there.” When she was asked why she decided to get into wrestling she thought about it for a second and shared a giggle and said, “Being able to beat up girls without getting in trouble.” When it comes to people who inspire her wrestling wise, she said she didn’t know of any specific person but shares she is inspired by the Iowa girls, “because they are really good.” She made sure emphasized how good they are.
When she was asked what her biggest challenge has been so far, she said, “going to big tournaments and wrestling girls from other places, girls who are really good.”
Conrad hugs BHS Coach Stephen Adams.
Her advice to young athletes and those interested in wrestling is to keep going. Conrad said “You don’t have to win every match. Just keep thriving forward, keep pushing. Some days are going to be hard, and you’ll want to quit, but just keep going.”
Her message to the community is to “set a goal for yourself and keep pushing towards it.” During her interviews the state champion said, “I’d like to thank all my coaches, Stephen Adams, Lana Keeler, and Brock Zollinger.” Conrad also credits her mother, Johnette Hill, as her biggest supporter saying, “She’s always been there, and she always will be.”
When asked about her future wrestling goals she said she would like to get into a good college for wrestling and has her eye set on Iowa. She also wants to try and make it to the Olympics.
Conrad with assistant wrestling coach and BHS alumna Lana Hunt.
