Seniors Succeed in Wrestling
Media by Felicity Garton
Rebecca Strong, senior, wins her wrestling match at Lafayette High School during Districts. Strong placed first at Districts, which scared her a spot at state.
When Maddie Barton, senior, counted the amount of wins she needed in wrestling to reach 100 her senior year, she knew she would reach her goal at the Kyle Thrasher tournament at Francis Howell.
“I needed around 35 wins, which ended up being at that tournament,” Barton said.
Barton has been wrestling since her freshman year, and as of Tuesday, Feb. 23, Barton has had 107 wins.
She plans to wrestle at Quincy University.
“I like the lessons it teaches you, like discipline and how tough it is mentally,” Barton said. “You learn how to take on anything in life and overcome anything tough that comes your way.”
Sean Torgoley, girls wrestling coach, said he was not surprised at all when Barton reached 100 wins.
I like the lessons it teaches you, like discipline and how tough it is mentally. You learn how to take on anything in life and overcome anything tough that comes your way.
— Maddie Barton
“Maddy is a beast on the mat and I knew she would get there,” Torgoley said.
Since then, Torgoley helped prepare Barton along with two other girls for State at the Mizzou Arena, Friday, Feb. 24, and Saturday, Feb. 25. Barton came 3rd place in her weight class, while the team overall won 2nd place.
“Watching my wrestlers grow, not only as wrestlers but as people, is my favorite part of coaching.” Torgoley said.
Rebecca Strong, senior, was motivated by a friend to start wrestling during her freshman year. She medaled 2nd at State both last and this season.
Although she didn’t meet her goal for medaling 1st, Strong is proud of her wrestling performance throughout her season and her improvement.
“It’s all about you,” Strong said. “If you lose, it’s your fault. If you win, you learn a lot about yourself.”
Strong has received a wrestling scholarship for Lindenwood University.
Ali Haiser, senior, also has wrestled since freshman year and at State, she secured 1st place in her weight class. Haiser said she prepared with Strong as her wrestling partner to win her spot.
“I like the aggressiveness that wrestling consists of and being able to not depend on anyone, just yourself,” Haiser said.
After suffering an ACL injury her junior year, Haiser’s biggest goal is to improve her confidence.
It’s all about you. If you lose, it’s your fault. If you win, you learn a lot about yourself.
— Rebecca Strong
“It’s taught me to push through even when I think I’m in pain,” Haiser said. “And it’s taught me to be mentally tough.”
Haiser is planning to pursue wrestling in college and is looking at Lindenwood, Central Methodist or Southeast Nebraska.
Tyson Campbell, business teacher, has watched Barton, Strong and Haiser grow from freshman to senior years.
“They all had the passion for the sport,” Campbell said. “And, they’ve all just grown and developed their craft over the last four years.”
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