The Mexico girls finally were back on the mat after Christmas break and finally earn some key victories.

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The Lady Bulldogs won all three duals in a home quad on Jan. 14, defeating Eldon 36-30 and district foes Southern Boone 42-24 and Orchard Farm 45-6. Alexus Johns didn’t wrestle a match due to opens but still earned her 100th career victory with some of her junior season remaining.

Johns said she and Mexico anticipated her earning No. 100 after wrestling a match, but the snow in recent weeks canceled the team’s conference tournament and the Capital City Tournament in Jefferson City. Regardless, there were many emotions as Johns celebrated with her teammates and coaches.

“It’s a feeling of relief that I made it this far without quitting,” Johns said. “Knowing I hit 100 and can possibly hit 150 next season, as I have my hand raised while looking out into the crowd, it’s an unreal feeling.”

Johns described the milestone as “euphoria” and said that only happened after tough moments learning the sport three years ago and being locked in bouts with difficult opponents. She said those tough moments are what pushed her career further. 

“I like seeing personal growth,” Johns said. “I’m growing every year. Freshman year went to state and went 1-2. Last year, went 3-1 and got second. This year, hopefully I bring home a title.”

Head coach Tony Senor said it is wonderful to have back-to-back seasons with 100-win wrestlers as Johns is the second one in program history after Katie Bowen last season. 

“The thing with wrestling is you try to have a short-term memory, whether you’re losing or winning,” Senor said. “You’re always after that next match. You’re always trying to stay hungry and get that next big accomplishment or goal.”

Senor mentioned that Johns milestone win wasn’t the only significant win during the night. Mexico wrestled three matches in its dual with Eldon but lost two of them before Jazzmin Torres stepped onto the mat in her 155-pound match. Torres pinned Natalie Dunn to give the Lady Bulldogs six points, which was ultimately the difference in the dual.

“There were matches we needed to win,” Senor said. “She had to pin that girl for us to win that dual.”

Torres is a freshman that has made a name for herself from being the first ever in the program to medal at the Rookie Wonder Woman Tournament. Senor said the new faces this season aren’t just limited to freshmen.

Addison Paden is a senior that bounced back after a loss in the Eldon dual to pin Orchard Farm’s Jayden Allen at 140 pounds, winning a match along with an open in the Southern Boone dual. Senor said Paden earned her first win after wrestling two of her first matches ever.

Senor said he is looking for consistency as Mexico finally starts a new semester following persistent winter weather. 

“We have to show up to practice every day even on those days where there might be a foot of snow on the ground,” Senor said. “We have to get after it, staying focused when a new semester starts. That’s hard for any student. We’re seeing a lot of progress. We’re scoring out of different positions, and we’re doing really well with our hand-fighting.”

The new semester was young, but Senor said returning state qualifier Abby Bowen picked up a big win at 135 pounds against an old opponent. Bowen pinned Southern Boone’s Zafaran Satterfield in her only match of the night, earning a victory against a girl ranked fifth in the state in her weight class and who gave the Lady Bulldogs trouble a season ago.

Senor added he hopes Bowen continues her career trajectory into becoming the program’s next 100-match winner. His most recent 100-match winner hopes to see more in the future.

“I encourage any girl to get into the sport,” Johns said. “Anything can be achieved. I just got my 100th win, and I know anybody can do it. You just got to have the dedication and drive to push yourself further.”