In Thompsonville, Illinois, history has a way of being written by those willing to step forward when no one else does. For Kiowa Quillen, that moment came as a freshman in high school when she decided to join a wrestling program that had just been restarted at Johnston City High School. At the time, she was the only girl on the team. What could have been an isolating experience instead became the foundation of a remarkable high school career defined by perseverance, leadership, and excellence—both on the mat and in the classroom.
Now a graduating senior, Kiowa stands as a testament to what determination can accomplish. As a Varsity Girls Wrestling Captain for the Johnston City High School Indians, a Black Diamond Conference Champion, a two-time sectional qualifier, and a member of the invitation-only Student Athlete Scholars community, she has carved out a legacy that will influence her school and community for years to come.
Building Something From the Ground Up
When Kiowa began wrestling her freshman year, she did so at a pivotal moment. Johnston City High School had just restarted its wrestling program, and girls wrestling in Illinois was still in a rapid growth phase. Being the only girl on the team presented immediate challenges—physical, mental, and social. Yet those early experiences shaped her resilience and sharpened her resolve.
Wrestling quickly became more than just a sport. It became a proving ground. The adversity she faced during that first season strengthened her commitment and fueled her desire to improve. Midway through the season, she expanded her training into Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, discovering a second passion that complemented her wrestling development.
Balancing two demanding combat sports required discipline well beyond the average high school schedule. Kiowa trained intensely in both wrestling and Jiu Jitsu, building a foundation of toughness that would later define her most significant accomplishments.
Breaking Barriers and Competing Through Adversity
By her junior year, Kiowa’s dedication translated into historic results. She became the first girl in her school’s history to qualify for Sectionals after earning a third-place finish at regionals. At the sectional tournament, she won matches and advanced to the blood round—the final match before qualifying for state—falling just short of advancing further.
That achievement alone would have been a milestone. But what Kiowa discovered afterward added a profound layer to the story.
Upon returning home from sectionals, she learned that she had competed since midseason with a broken and dislocated rib—an injury that had been missed during her initial doctor’s appointment. The realization reframed her entire postseason run. The pain she had battled through, the grueling matches, and the narrow margin that separated her from state qualification all took on new meaning.
She was forced to take four weeks off from both wrestling and Jiu Jitsu to undergo therapy and recovery. For an athlete accustomed to constant training, the time away was difficult. Yet it became another test of her mental strength.
Two weeks before the 2025 IBJJF Pan Jiu Jitsu Championship, Kiowa returned to training. Despite the limited preparation window, she chose to compete in the adult women’s super heavy white belt bracket—a division that demanded both physical strength and technical precision.
Her performance was extraordinary. She defeated the 2024 IBJJF Champion to secure her place in the championship round and ultimately finished second overall. The accomplishment demonstrated not only her physical recovery but also her competitive mindset and technical growth in Jiu Jitsu.
That same day, she received additional recognition: selection to the All South Regional Team. She was the only athlete from her team selected that year and the first high school wrestling girl in her school’s history to earn the honor.
Leading a New Generation
If her junior year established her as a pioneer, her senior year cemented her as a leader.
Kiowa became the first girls varsity captain over Johnston City’s very first official girls wrestling team. What began as a solitary journey her freshman year had evolved into something far greater—a structured, competitive girls program with multiple athletes stepping onto the mat.
Under her leadership, the team competed with determination throughout the season. Her teammates placed in tournaments, and the program’s presence grew stronger with each competition.
Individually, Kiowa continued to achieve. She became the Girls 235 Black Diamond Conference Champion and earned All-Conference honors. She again placed third at the regional tournament, securing her second consecutive trip to sectionals—becoming the first girl in school history to qualify two years in a row.
This time, she was not alone.
She brought a teammate with her to sectionals, marking a symbolic and powerful moment for the program. Though both athletes fell short of the blood round, their presence signified growth and progress. By the end of the season, six members of the team were selected to the All South Regional Team, reflecting the expanding impact of the girls wrestling program she helped build.
One of Kiowa’s proudest high school highlights is not a medal or podium finish, but the establishment of the girls wrestling team itself. What began as one athlete stepping onto the mat evolved into a sustainable program that has already influenced younger athletes. At the middle school level, one of the first sixth-grade girls qualified for open state in her first year—evidence that the groundwork Kiowa laid is already inspiring the next generation.
Excellence Beyond the Mat
Kiowa’s achievements are not limited to athletic competition. As a graduating senior, she has also distinguished herself academically, earning membership in Student Athlete Scholars—an invitation-only community that recognizes high-achieving student-athletes who excel in competition, the classroom, and in character.
Student Athlete Scholars exists to ensure that athletic talent is matched by academic achievement, leadership, and service. The organization supports standout students with access to scholarship opportunities, mentorship, college admissions insight, and recognition that reflects who they are as complete individuals. More than a badge of honor, it is a growth-focused community designed to help driven athletes turn their discipline and potential into meaningful opportunities.
Kiowa embodies that mission. Her ability to balance high-level competition in two physically demanding sports while maintaining her academic performance reflects the same work ethic that defines her wrestling career. Her leadership as a team captain and trailblazer further demonstrates the character component that Student Athlete Scholars seeks to celebrate.
Being recognized as a Student Athlete Scholar affirms that her success is comprehensive. She is not simply a competitor; she is a scholar and a leader preparing thoughtfully for her future.
The Next Chapter: Upper Iowa University
Kiowa has committed and signed her letter of intent to Upper Iowa University’s women’s wrestling team, doing so on the second day of her senior wrestling season. Her collegiate path will allow her to continue competing at a high level while pursuing ambitious academic goals.
She plans to earn a Bachelor of Science in Biology, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Balancing multiple rigorous degree programs alongside collegiate wrestling speaks to her drive and long-term vision.
In addition to collegiate wrestling, she plans to continue training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Looking even further ahead, she hopes that the Olympics will expand to include higher weight classes for women. She intends to train with the mindset of one day attempting to qualify for the national team, approaching her preparation with purpose and ambition.
A Legacy That Extends Beyond Wins
Kiowa Quillen’s story is about more than victories, titles, or podium finishes. It is about starting alone and finishing surrounded by teammates. It is about competing through injury, recovering with determination, and returning stronger. It is about leadership that builds programs and opens doors for others.
From becoming the first girl in her school’s history to qualify for sectionals, to earning conference championships and All-Regional honors, to leading the first official girls wrestling team as captain, Kiowa has consistently broken new ground. Her influence is already visible in the young athletes following in her footsteps.
As she graduates from high school and steps into collegiate competition at Upper Iowa University, she carries with her not only personal accomplishments but also the pride of a program she helped establish.
Kiowa Quillen leaves Johnston City High School not just as a champion and two-sport competitor, but as a scholar-athlete, a leader, and a pioneer—proof that when opportunity doesn’t yet exist, it can be built through courage, discipline, and unwavering belief in what is possible.
