In the world of high school sports, there are moments that transcend the ordinary, and Ashlyn Hahn’s undefeated season in wrestling is one of those moments. The 130-pound senior from Stockton High School capped off an incredible career with a state championship at the 2025 3-2-1A KSHSAA State Wrestling Championships held two weekends ago in Hays, leaving a lasting legacy that will be remembered by her school, her team, and her community. With this year’s unblemished record of 41-0, she is just the second undefeated wrestler in the history of the school, with Corey Johnston going 29-0 back in 1992. Ashlyn is also the last state champion since 2005 when Chris Pulec stood atop the podium.

Hahn's journey to becoming a state champion began when she was first introduced to the sport by her uncle, Tyler Hahn, who was coaching at SHS at the time. “He convinced me and a friend to do wrestling,” Ashlyn recalls. Without him, she might not have even gotten into wrestling. What began as a simple introduction turned into a passion, and over the years, Ashlyn would go on to compile an impressive record of 140-15 with 117 of those wins coming by falls. Just this season, 34 of Ashlyn’s 41 wins were by falls, with 21 of those victories being over 2025 state placers, including two state champions.

For Ashlyn, wrestling isn't just about the physical demands—it's about the mental fortitude required to succeed. "Anyone can step out on the mat and act like they have been working as hard as everyone else, but wrestling shows who truly has," she says. It's that understanding of the sport’s requirement for mental toughness that separates Ashlyn from the pack. Despite the many hours of practice and competition, what really sets her apart is the work she puts in. "When I go to tournaments in the summer, I only see a handful of Kansas girls putting in the extra time and effort," she shares. It's clear that Ashlyn’s commitment to wrestling extends far beyond the regular season.

The mental side of wrestling is something Ashlyn finds particularly challenging. Yet, it is also what she believes helps build the 'different kind of toughness' that the sport demands. In wrestling, there's no hiding behind a team, and no one else to blame when things go wrong. Ashlyn’s ability to control her nerves, stay focused and be relaxed in the heat of the moment has been a significant strength for her, especially when it came to her undefeated season.

Looking back at her high school career, Ashlyn reflects on her key strategy: confidence. "I just know that I am ready and have the ability to handle whatever happens," she says. This mentality played a major role in helping her stay calm and composed throughout the season. Unlike previous years, Ashlyn took a more relaxed approach this time around, choosing to enjoy the experience more and not take herself too seriously. "I just had fun with it," she notes.

When asked about setbacks or close calls during a match, Ashlyn points to her coach, Clint Bedore, who is always ready to stand up for his wrestlers. "If there’s a questionable call by the referee, I know Coach Bedore will handle it,' she says. 'If it’s something else, I know it’s out of my control, and I just need to work harder." Ashlyn’s mentality is all about control—if she can control her performance, she knows the outcome will fall in her favor.

Coach Bedore is not surprised at Ashlyn’s amazing accomplishment. “Ash is a competitor, always seeking the best competition available, even to the point of being upset when such competition doesn’t show up at a tournament,” Bedore shared. “She is such a humble person in wins, and, in the past, gracious in defeat. Each defeat was an opportunity to learn. She would bring defeats back to the practice room and work on what she needed to do so it didn’t happen again. She will forever hold a special place in my heart, not just as my first state champion as a coach, but also for her leadership on and off the wrestling mat.”

Despite her success, Ashlyn isn't superstitious. She doesn’t rely on rituals to maintain her positive mindset, except for keeping certain routines, like wearing the same gear to every tournament. “Also, because I don’t really remember what exactly happens while I am wrestling, I like to go back and watch my matches after they’re over," she shares. "It helps me see where I messed up, or what I could have done better."

Ashlyn's state championship match was against freshman Averie Counts of Russell. It was the fifth time the two had met, with Ashlyn having already defeated Counts four times during the season, but that didn't make the matchup any less nerve-wracking. Despite the familiarity, Ashlyn remained confident, focusing on executing her strategy and trusting her skills. She admits that she would prefer to face someone she hasn’t wrestled before for the challenge of fresh competition.

The most challenging matches of her career came against Maya Tarbet, a two-time Class 5-6A state champion from Garden City. Ashlyn had wrestled Tarbet last season, only to be pinned in the second period. But this year, everything changed. Ashlyn beat Tarbet 9-0 prior to the start of this season at the Kansas Bragging Rights 2024 Invitational held at Rose Hill in November. This is an elite tournament for which you must have an invitation. Then, during the season, she defeated Tarbet again 3-0. Wrestling opponents such as Tarbet has taught Ashlyn that no matter who she faces, she just has to do what she knows and trust in her ability.

Ashlyn’s wrestling skills are undeniable, and much of her success can be attributed to her proficiency in the neutral position, as well as her signature wing move, which she claims she “runs A LOT!' “I feel I’m at my best being on my feet in the neutral position because it helps me score more points and control the match. Whenever I get the choice in a coin toss, I pick neutral,” she says. The ability to control her opponents from this position has been a key factor in her victories throughout the season.

In addition to her physical skills, Ashlyn credits her father, Travis Hahn, as a major source of inspiration. "My dad has been my biggest motivator throughout high school," she says. "Even though he didn’t get to wrestle much when he was in high school, he made sure I had every opportunity to succeed." Another coach, Justin Klein (of Plainville), has also been instrumental in Ashlyn's development, always believing in her potential. "Coach Klein was an amazing wrestler. He believed in me from the start, and, throughout the last four years, he has helped me push myself to get better every day."

As Ashlyn looks ahead to college, she definitely would like to continue her wrestling career, but she isn’t sure where that will be. Wherever she lands, she will go in with an open mind and an enthusiasm for improvement. It’s evident she is eager to see what lies ahead, and welcomes the opportunity to get even better.  "I’m excited for whatever comes next," she says. "I just want to keep improving and see how far I can go."

As for advice to young wrestlers who hope to achieve similar success, Ashlyn has a simple but powerful message: "If you know what you want, work hard and go get it!"

Anyone who has had the opportunity to watch Ashlyn take to the mat will agree it's been an incredibly exciting ride watching her achieve her goal. She is grateful for those who have been by her side the past six years.  “I just want to thank everyone in the community who has followed and supported me throughout my career," she says.

 
Through her hard work, dedication, and unwavering confidence, Ashlyn Hahn has proven what it takes to be a champion—not just in wrestling, but in life. With her graduation in May, she leaves behind a legacy that will inspire young athletes in this community for years to come. Coach Bedore summed it up best when he said, “Ash will be missed, but her leadership will live on in the future of Lady Tiger Wrestling.”