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Cooley Finishes 8-0 at War of the Roses Tournament in Indiana

COLUMBUS, IN — Palmyra’s wrestling future was already strong from the boys with the back-to-back podium finishes in 2025 with alum and current wrestler at Cornell College Brayden Pillars, and earlier this year with recent graduate Tyler Spicknall and current senior Ace Harper; however, this school year, Palmyra has gained some freshman who have been making some strong appearances nationally.

Thirteen wrestlers from the Tri-State area competed on the Missouri Red Wrestling Team, with two from Palmyra, one from Highland, three from Quincy, and the rest from Kansas City and Wentzville areas, competed in the Progressive HighSchool Division in duals against 25 other teams in the Midwest.

Freshmen Zoe Corum (125 pounds) and Brooklyn Cooley (120 pounds) represented Palmyra High School and Zoey Eisenberg (130 pounds) represented Highland High School and Missouri at the War of the Roses Midwest Nationals Wrestling Tournament in Columbus, Indiana, on October 3rd and 4th, on the Missouri Red Team, becoming the first female wrestlers from Palmyra to be on the War of the Roses roster.

Not only did they represent proudly, the team also competed with two empty spots on their team which allowed other teams to automatically receive 12 points. The girls represented Missouri Red proudly and help achieve winning 1st Place in the War of the Roses Progressive High School Division – Gold Bracket.

Corum went 6-2 and Eisenberg went 4-4 in their matches over the weekend and Cooley went undefeated going 8-0.

Corum is a three-time Girls Youth Missouri State Runner-Up and a one-time Girls Youth Missouri State Champion during her five years with Palmyra Youth Wrestling Club. Corum is also a member of the Palmyra High School JV Softball team.

Cooley has achieved the podium for the State Championships as well as being one of the only wrestlers the country to qualify for the 2026 U.S. Marine Corps Junior Nationals from Fargo. Both Cooley and Corum hold the title of the Youth AAU Girls Champion in each of their individual weight classes. Cooley and Corum have both achieved their 100th career wins before starting their freshman year at Palmyra High School thanks to the Palmyra Youth Wrestling Club program and have made them standout athletes as freshman. Corum is also quickly approaching her 200th win as well as a wrestler.

Additionally, Zoey Eisenberg, a Freshman at Highland High School, is also a member of the Palmyra Youth Wrestling Club. During her two years in the program, she has also made it to the podium twice at the Girls Youth Missouri State Wrestling Championship by playing 6th in her first year and 3rd in this most recent championship.

Eisenberg is also a Varsity player for the Highland Softball team.

Tri-State representatives include Zoe Corum, Palmyra High School; Brooklyn Cooley, Palmyra High School; Zoey Eisenberg, Highland High School; Zoe Bloyd, Quincy Senior High School; Zoey Smith, Quincy Senior High School; and Aubree Murphy, Quincy Senior High School. Other wrestlers from the Missouri Red team are Lilly Cuno, Ally Miller, Mariana Angeles, Avelyn Hunter, Cali Russell, Kay Davis, and Hali Windes.

Northeast Missouri wrestling youth is in great hands with these girls and with high school wrestling about to start in full swing, Palmyra will be happy to receive both Corum and Cooley on their wrestling roster this winter.