The Centralia girls wrestling program hasn’t had a state medalist yet.
The Lady Panthers hope that changes this season with its group of returning grapplers and also a talented newcomer.
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The Centralia girls wrestling program hasn’t had a state medalist yet.
The Lady Panthers hope that changes this season with its group of returning grapplers and also a talented newcomer.
After Addison Mabrey became the first Centralia girl to qualify for the state meet last year, head coach Tyler Forsee said the team has sophomore Ava Ward this season along with her hefty accomplishments early in her career.
Ward won a bronze medal at the 2021 world championships in her time as a world team member and has won titles at the national level to go into this season as nationally ranked. Forsee has been impressed by Ward’s wrestling IQ at this stage of her career and believes the medal “speaks for itself.”
"Ava works very hard and has built-up an impressive skill set,” Forsee said. “The one thing that I think sets her apart from some of the other quality wrestlers/athletes that I have been around is her mindset. Ava is a very confident girl but isn’t cocky by any means. She knows that she has a great skill set and has worked extremely hard and goes out and showcases what she is capable of.”
Forsee has great feelings about the team of seven wrestlers – two seniors, three sophomores and two freshmen – and thinks girls like senior Gretchen Marriot and sophomores Maddie Shelton and Abby Barte can make strides this year.
“We have had some hard-working girls that have put in a lot of time in the offseason, and I hope that they can see the benefit as the season goes on,” Forsee said.
Forsee said Marriott, in particular, improved a lot in the offseason after losing in the bubble match at districts a year ago and will be a solid wrestler for Centralia as she tries for state qualification in her final season. Ward and Shelton will provide the Lady Panthers strength in the lighter weight classes, 115 and 120, respectively.
The team’s new wrestlers are in a position to succeed as well heading into Centralia’s first meet today at the Marceline Tiger Mat Classic.
“We have some new girls that are trying wrestling for the first time and have done a solid job of picking up the sport,” Forsee said. “We are focusing on the basics of staying in a good position on our feet and understanding how to apply pressure when we are in top position.”
