Girls wrestling competed in regionals in Haltom City last weekend and is off to the UIL 6A state tournament to wrestle Friday and Saturday in Cypress, Texas. Making their way to state is senior Ileah Brown who placed second in her 114 weight class at regionals and junior Kalondria Carter who placed fourth in her 235 weight class.

Brown and Carter will go against the top 16 best athletes in the state of their weight class. Both girls have prepared since the beginning of the week, as well as practiced with a few of the boys wrestling members. 

“This week we have worked on making sure we keep our feet moving in the match and keep our opponent in a defensive mindset,” wrestling coach Karra Brooks said. “If it’s working, don’t change it. We are drilling and running every day. Also, taking care of their bodies with rest.”

Brown had the experience of going to state last year, however this time around she expressed her positivity of taking on this year’s competition.

“I was really excited to be there, but this year I feel more confident than I was last year,” Brown said. “[I feel like] I’m going to win some matches and probably going to be in the finals. It’s everything I worked for, past regionals. This is my number one goal for the whole year.”

Although competing in regionals and state isn’t new for Brown, Carter will experience the state tournament for the first time. Carter worked hard to improve her skills to make it to state. 

“Everyone has a goal, everyone is fighting for a way to get it,” Carter said. “The sport is very physical, it gets very hectic, exhausting and hurtful, but I think it makes the sport fun.”

Even with the stressful week of preparations, the relationships between the girls and their coaches have grown throughout the year. The team members push each other’s limits and want the best for one another. 

“If you don’t put that work in, it’s not a lot of fun when you step in the circle again and again and get beat,” Brooks said. “It takes a special kind of person to want to keep pushing through that growth period and break into the winning phase.”