For decades, the trophy cases at Pulaski County High School told stories of gridiron glory and hardwood success. But in February 2023, Molly Keller added a new chapter to that history, securing a milestone that had eluded the program for generations.
Keller, a native of Fairlawn, Virginia, became the first wrestler in Pulaski County High School history to win a State Championship. 
Her victory at the inaugural Virginia High School League Girls State Championship Meet did more than just earn her a gold medal; it established her as the benchmark for a sport that, until recently, forced female athletes to compete primarily against their male counterparts.
The path to the 136-pound title was a dominant one. Keller entered the tournament at Unity Reed High School as the top-ranked wrestler in the state and a top-20 national prospect. She navigated a bracket of 47 wrestlers with a series of decisive victories: pinning Iris Martinez of Nandua and Alae Houmane of Justice on the first day, followed by a 9-0 decision over Northside’s Rihana Carson in the semifinals.
In the championship bout, Keller faced Tatiana Denig of Tallwood. After a scoreless first period, the match remained tight until the final frame. Trailing briefly, Keller rallied with an escape and a takedown to take a 3-1 lead. She eventually secured the win by fall at the 5:47 mark, solidifying her place as the school’s lone wrestling State Champion.
The victory was also a family milestone. Her father, Chad Keller, wrestled for Pulaski County, and her brother, Marshall, was a state champion for Christiansburg High School. The duo became the first brother-sister pair in Virginia history to both hold wrestling state titles.
Since graduating in 2023, Keller has transitioned her success to the collegiate level at Emory & Henry University. Competing for the Wasps, she has become one of the program’s most decorated athletes in its young history.
In her sophomore season (2024-25), Keller was named to the inaugural All-South Atlantic Conference Carolinas Second Team at 145 pounds. She finished the regular season with a 26-9 record, including 13 pins and nine technical superiorities, while reaching a national ranking as high as No. 10.
Keller’s impact on the Emory & Henry record books has been immediate. She currently holds the program’s season and career records for wins, win percentage, dual points, and pins. Her academic performance matches her mat presence, as she is a two-time NWCA Scholar All-American.
Now a junior, Keller continues to build on her legacy. Most recently, she claimed first place at the Princeton Open in November 2025, where she battled back from an 8-0 deficit in the finals to secure a pin against Ursinus’ Chloe Charlesworth.
From the mats of Dublin to the national stage with the Wasps, Keller’s journey remains defined by the history she continues to write.