The girls wrestling team ended the season as conference champs. After tournaments, close duals and long practices, the girls were able to claim a victory, securing the title.
“We had some duels that we won because some of our big guns went up against other people’s big guns, and we won it really with people who aren’t ranked at the state level,” girls wrestling coach Nic Brent said. “People that don’t always get the top seats at a tournament, and they went out and either fought to a victory or to a close match that we were able to make up in the team race.”
Wrestlers attributed the victory to hard work and preparation throughout the season.
“A lot of hard work, coming in during break and on snow days,” captain junior Ellie Marrah said. “Everybody else was sitting at home doing nothing. We came in, and we put in the work. So I think showing up and doing what I needed to do.”
Marrah had some physical struggles to overcome to become the wrestler she was during the season.
“My elbow was my biggest struggle,” Marrah said. “Having to relearn how to wrestle, basically, with it, so I wouldn’t get put in positions that wouldn’t hurt that bad and then how to wrestle with pain, and it was hard.”
The conference championship wasn’t the only victory in the season. Jaziya Miles placed first at the Winnetonka tournament and made it to state.
“Excited because I have been wrestling for three years,” Miles said. “I always get second or third.”
Marrah placed at the Wonder Woman tournament.
“Wonder Woman was my most memorable, and that’s because I didn’t place last year,” Marrah said. “And this year I did, and it’s a super hard tournament to place. And after I won my match, that decided if I placed or not, being able to hug my dad – just feel that love toward me and my dad because he’s been there for me for everything with me was just the right memory to have.”
The coaches’ attitudes toward the girls helped with their success.
“Being supportive and pushing us but then also not being that coach makes it unenjoyable for us to be there,” Marrah said. “They put an effort toward us, so we put an effort toward them.
The team had a coaching philosophy and nonnegotiables.
“My big two things are simple: show up, and work hard,” Brent said. “Learn and grow. That’s what I’ve been spouting for the past however many years. Didn’t really say that as much this year as I probably should’ve. Take every loss as a learning opportunity and then grow from it.”
Five members of the team earned a trip to the state tournament Feb. 23.
Results:
Joanne Dinh, 10: 1 win, 2 losses
Ellie Marrah, 11: 1 win, 2 losses
Ja’ziya Miles, 9: 1 win, 2 losses
Faith Nesfeder, 11: 1 win, 2 losses
Alayna Leslie, 9: 0 wins, 2 losses
