Heading down towards Indianapolis, the No. 1 ranked girls wrestling team is ready to compete for a state championship. Leading the group of athletes is Senior Joy Cantu, ranked No. 1 at 106 pounds. With history to be made, Cantu is more than determined to bring a state title back to Merrillville.
“I plan to do what I always do…stay focused and take it one match at a time. I know what I am capable of and it is winning a state title. And I will help my team in all ways I can,” Cantu said.
This year marks the first official IHSAA State championship for girls wrestling.
Sectionals brought four individual champions: Meagan Thomas, Charisma Lawrence, Honesty Lacy, and Joy Cantu. Cantu also claimed a regional championship for herself as well. With many athletes finding success, team chemistry is at an all time high. Junior Charisma Lawrence believes the team is ready for a state championship.
“I think as a whole we’re a pretty tight knit team…I think seeing our progress and since we have a lot of first timers, we’re very confident in one another, and we are constantly pushing each other since we do have that number one spot right now,” she said.
Many of the girls wrestlers are new, like Freshman Meagan Thomas, who in her second year of wrestling has won a Sectional championship and placed 3rd in Regionals.
“It feels great…to know that the work I’m putting in, I guess you could say, like, I’m growing this good fruit, and I can finally eat it,” Thomas said.
Being No. 1 in the state brings high expectations and pressure. The athletes haven’t slowed down and know they have to maintain pace to keep their title. Cantu acknowledges what’s at stake and is confident in what she’s capable of doing.
“Yea there comes pressure knowing people’s eyes are on me and I have to be on top of my game all the time,” Cantu said. “But I know I’m trained to do this so I have no doubt in my mind that I am the best me everytime I step on the mat.”
Friday six girls travel down state to compete against the best wrestlers in Indiana. These girls include; Freshmen Thomas and Julianne Cantu, Juniors Lawrence and Elani Alvarez, and Seniors Cantu and Honesty Lacy.
“I am very confident going into state. I feel I am one of the best girls in the state, and I am the best repaired girl in my weight class. No one trains like our team does,” Cantu said.
