This year the SCHS wrestling teams had eight wrestlers qualify for State: three girls and five boys: Braylen Ballard (190), DeRay Coleman (285), Brooklyn Elliot (115), Violet Lewis (170), Cecile Puati (100), Charles Reid (144), Derek Plaza-Smither (120), and Taylor Souders (126). The wrestling team had been working hard all season to be able to make it to State. Although nobody placed at the State tournament, it was still a great season and great experience for the wrestlers. 

Violet Lewis, a first-year wrestler, who wrestled in the 170 lbs. weight class had a great experience. Although she is a first-year wrestler, and it seemed a bit nerve wracking, she gained a lot as a wrestler and hopes to qualify for State next year and place in the top four. 

“I really hope that I can place. This is a big goal, but I really hope I can place top four out of the top six next year,” Lewis said.

Lewis thinks she can place, not just because of the work she put in, but also because of how the coaches have trained

“We prepared them just like we would for any other tournament, just staying focused on their technique, on their conditioning, and the individualizing it a little bit on stuff that kids need to specifically work on, do some research on their opponents,” Coach Kevin Dill said. 

Many of the wrestlers who fell short of placing are confident that they can qualify for the state tournament next year and place, and although no one placed they still enjoyed the benefits of State and getting to eat a big meal afterwards. 

“The whole dinner when we went out to eat after I was done wrestling was really a good moment, even though it was kind of bittersweet,” Cecile Puati said. 

Puati, who wrestles in the 100 lbs. weight class, placed at State last year, but fell short this year. She enjoyed her trip to the State tournament this year and is motivated and determined to place next year. 

But for Charlie Reid, it was his last year wrestling at St. Charles High and although he was very close to placing and fell short, he loved wrestling and had a great four years. 

“I feel like wrestling has actually changed my life more than me as a wrestler. It made me work hard,” Reid added.