Last Friday, senior Joy Cantu made history by winning a State championship in the first annual IHSAA competition for girls wrestling. In Merrillville’s first season they were runner ups marking a strong start for more to come.
“I have put in a lot of hard work leading up to this year and it’s all showing… It feels so surreal that I won state and to know that all my hard work paid off,” Cantu said.
Joy’s sister, Julianne was a runner up for state as a freshman.
“I told myself I wasn’t going to cry and as soon as I heard the crowd and saw my coach I just started to cry,” Joy Cantu said. “I was very emotional in the beginning of the day because of my sister also making the finals. I was more nervous for her matches than my own matches.”
The team finished strong with Charisma Lawrence placing 5th in her weight class. Other girls who advanced to State were Meagan Thomas, Honesty Lacy and Elani Alvarez.
“I am very proud of my team with all of the hard work they have put in…I think I’m very hard on my team because I know how good our team can be. I think I am also very emotional and I know that things can get tough and I know what they are going through because I have been there and I know how to make my team feel better,” Cantu said.
