Get ready to dive back on the mat for a recap of the University Academy wrestling season.
The girls’ and boys’ wrestling teams came a long way this winter. They went through thick and thin and finished with plenty of success. The girls’ overall record was 12-2, and the boys’ overall record was 12-5.
Mr. Jeremy Dorrell, who is UA’s middle school assistant principal, is the head coach of the wrestling team.
This year, four UA wrestlers qualified for state. Dominicque Ellis was the first freshman at UA to be a state qualifier. In addition, sophomore MarQuan Phillips-Rice, senior Julian Wilson, and senior London Lona also qualified.
On Feb. 24, the state qualifiers made their way to Columbia, Missouri, for the tournament, and they started wrestling on Feb. 25. Lona medaled, finishing sixth in his weight class. He is the first male to medal at state in UA history. Phillips-Rice finished in the top eight in his class.
Prior to the season’s climax, Feb. 5 was Senior Night, where all the seniors were recognized together with their families. The home meet featured competition against Ewing Marion Kauffman School and Grandview High School.
Throughout the season, young wrestlers made improvements and worked hard to make progress. Even if it was tough in the beginning, athletes made growth as the season went along.
Ellis said, “Throughout the wrestling season, I think I made a lot of growth not just with improving my stamina and technique but it has also helped me grow as a person.”
Teams and players grow throughout in different ways.
Mr. Brendan Graff, UA’s seventh grade science teacher, is one of the assistant coaches for the team.
He said, “This sport teaches a lot of life lessons along the way, so as much as athletes grow in the sport, they grow as a person as well.”
In the midst of this growth, athletes usually have an inspiration for the sport they do. It’s often what helps the athlete first get started into the sport. It can be a family member, a close friend, or even a state champion.
Ellis said, “When I first started, Ariel Biggs and Jauzlyean Gray really inspired me.”
Ariel Biggs, a high school freshman from Fort Osage High School, spent much of the season ranked No. 1 in the 140-pound weight class. Jauzlyean Gray is another accomplished high school wrestler from Fort Osage High School. She won the 135-pound state title as a freshman this year.
For anyone who’s thinking about giving wrestling a try, here are some words from Mr. Dorrell.
“Come to a practice and give it a try. Wrestling is a sport that might surprise you!”
