AOTW: Service’s Keasiya Luedde wrestles her way into the school history books, 2024 state tournament

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - In 2023, the Service Cougars put on one of the most exciting matches at the state wrestling tournament, a performance that saw former Athlete of the Week selection Arnold Baffour win the heavyweight title while drawing the praise of the thousands of spectators at the Alaska Airlines Center.

Heading into regionals, Keasiya Luedde was hoping she could do the same.

“The last thing I could do in my short wrestling career for Service is to be able to show up and get everyone to cheer me on,” she said.

Jump ahead one week from that point, Luedde has done just that.

In her final match in the Green and Gold, the senior locked up a state title on Saturday, defeating South Anchorage’s Maya Curp in the 185-pound bout.

“I’m incredibly happy,” Luedde said following her victory. “All my hard work paid off.”

“She’s worked hard her entire career,” Service head coach Mark Burkart said. “To finish out with a state championship is a statement to how hard she’s worked and put into it.”

Luedde first appeared on the mat her sophomore year, meaning she’d have to work hard to catch up with her other competitors.

“Sophomore year was just me learning how to wrestle. Learning everything,” she said. “I just wanted to have fun.”

“I think at first, she was like ‘I don’t know if I can do this,’ but her sister was like ‘let’s go, let’s do it,‘” Burkart said. “We’d just do the basics — by this year she’s a high-level wrestler.”

Heading into her second season, Luedde says her mindset shifted to accomplishments.

“Junior year it was just ‘I have to win. I gotta win,’” she said.

It was a focus that eventually caught up with her. Luedde missed out on a 2023 state title after losing in the semifinals

“I didn’t think I was going to get pinned by a girl and I did. It flipped a switch in me. I was like ‘ok, I focused to much on seedings, rankings, whatever,’” she said.

Knowing this season would be her last, Luedde decided her best bet was to head back to the start.

“I’m just gonna go out there and wrestle,” she said. “I want to go out there and be proud of how I wrestled. Win or lose, I wanted to be proud with how I did.”

“Last year at the state tournament, the moment got to her too much,” Burkart said. “She was focused with trying to win the state tournament instead of just one match at a time. I think just being free and having fun and being able wrestle is what got her through it.”

With her victory, Luedde becomes the second girl in program history to win a state title in the sport, joining 2016 state champion Adrienne Toyukak, who won a title at 132 pounds.

“Her name was on our board and I knew I wanted my name up there. I want the new girls that are going to come in and see that they can get up there too,” she said.

Now, after months of work and preparation, Luedde says she’s ready to celebrate.

“I’m going to enjoy some junk food,” she said laughing. “This whole month leading up to this tournament has been all healthy food. I’m ready for junk food and to not feel bad about it.”

Editor’s note: The spelling of Keasiya Luedde’s name has been corrected from an earlier version.

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