Girls State Wrestling concluded on Feb. 18 with sophomore Jazlyn E. placing sixth and senior Maggie F. finishing first, making her a two-time state champion. The two girls worked hard to complete the season as they did, controlling the mat and staying calm under pressure.
Maggie ended her senior year of wrestling with 201 career wins and back to back state championships. Going into state, she had clear goals and knew what she needed to do to be successful.
“My goal for state was to pin my way to another title. I was very nervous for my last wrestling tournament ever. But I knew that if I get too worked up, I lose the match before it even starts,” Maggie states. “Another goal I had in mind was to become the second female wrestler in Nebraska to hit 200 career wins, which I did.”
In addition, Jazlyn finished sixth place. She takes the sport very seriously; the sophomore prepares in the best ways possible and is able to put pressure on the back burner to focus on the matches ahead of her.
“Honestly, I don’t think pressure should be that big a thing in sports,” voices Jazlyn. “I don’t think anybody should stress themselves out too much, so I try not to. I kind of just take it match by match.”
In wrestling, there are always certain uncontrollable factors, but there are also elements of the sport that can be regulated by the athletes. Going into a big tournament like state, coaches and players alike agreed that focusing on the controllables is a big part of what leads to success.
“They can’t control the bracket, the crowd, or the ref but they can control their effort, their attitude, and their preparation,” mentions coach Emory Trofholz. “The biggest thing is trust. They trust their training and they trust each other. When they walk into a tough match, they know they’ve put in the work.”
Wrestling is no cup of tea; the long practices, intense conditioning, and tenacity needed to participate proves that. To be a wrestler, you need to be determined, disciplined, and willing to put in the work.
“Wrestling is one of the toughest sports physically and mentally. There are long practices, tough losses, and moments where you’re exhausted and discouraged,” says coach Trofholz. “It takes discipline showing up every day, taking care of your body, and being coachable. It also takes confidence. You have to believe you can compete with the best, even before you’ve proven it.”
Heading into the tournament, nutrition was an essential part of the girls’ performances. Both athletes pushed to make sure they were putting things in their body that would aid them through their matches. Physical health is the first step to successful execution.
“My nutrition plans consisted of getting a good protein and carb in every meal,” remarks Maggie. “I try to make sure I have a snack between meals too.” Trofholz also shared the importance of healthier, nutrient dense foods and hydration that prepares a body for competition at the highest level.
“The advice I would give to younger wrestlers is to listen to your body,” expresses Maggie. “The food you eat, how much water you drink, and how much sleep you get play such a huge role in your success. Cutting the wrong way to get to a specific weight class can make you so miserable that you lose sight of what you really love in this sport.”
