Credit to Natalie Gill

On Feb. 5 Ashlynn Alexander won in a match against Fort Zumwalt North. The meet was hosted at North against Fort Zumwalt North, McCluer North and Parkway North

On Feb. 14-15, girls wrestlers senior Isabelle Apple, sophomore Ashlynn Alexander, junior Aubrey Peterson and sophomore Maddy Howell went to districts and came back as wrestling state qualifiers. On Feb. 27, the girls’ wrestling team left for the Mizzou arena to compete in state wrestling. They returned home March 1 with an impressive portfolio.

Apple secured her spot as a two-time state finalist, placing second place in the 105-pound weight class. Peterson and Alexander both earned fifth place in the 135-pound and 170-pound weight classes.

For the girls, consistency and their experience eased their nerves. Throughout the season, a primary motto that coaches attempted to engrave into the wrestlers was the importance of relying and depending on their strengths.

“This time in the year, it’s about drilling your top stuff and turning it into muscle memory, Assistant Coach Sean Fowler said. “That way, when you’re out there wrestling, you don’t have to think about it. You have a plan, you go execute it. [If] it’s not there, then you have a plan B.”

The rest of the coaches agreed; leading up to state, the best course of action was to ease up on the pressure while being consistent in what they know and refining those skills. The mindset on that road can often be fragile and can make or break the outcomes for many.

“I feel like I come in with a really negative mindset, so this year I’ve been really working on trying to change that, and a lot of my coaches have been there to help me along with that,” Howell said.

Howell qualified for state for the first time after making a comeback through a blood round in which she had a second chance, following her loss during her first match. Although she pushed through at districts, she fell short at state after losing in two matches.

“Growth is the whole mindset, right?” Assistant Coach Kim Skwira said. “So if you qualify and make it to state, great; if not, you’ve experienced a season, and now you know what to expect next year.”

For Apple, that approach seemed to have worked well. In years prior, it helped her become a two-time state finalist.

For Alexander, reaching state meant a lot. She had only wrestled for two years and saw a lot of success in the sport leading to her fifth place victory at state.

“It feels pretty good [to get to this point],” Alexander said. “I’m proud of myself and the work that I have put in.”