This year, three OHS wrestlers qualified for the state tournament held in Columbia, Mo., on Feb. 27 through March 1. For Zamya Woods-Johnson (12) and Isaiah Scullin (12), this was their first time making it all the way to the state tournament, but for Kaden Updike (11), he had experienced this tournament one year prior.

“[Going to state] was all mental. It was kind of like last year I went there and I’d underperformed, just like a mental barricade I had with that tournament,” Updike said.

Having this previous experience helped Updike to perform better, as he placed sixth in his weight class. While Scullin and Woods-Johnson did not ultimately place in the end, they had a different experience since they didn’t know what to expect going into it.

“I’ve been there before as a practice partner, but going there and actually being qualified, it felt really nice,” Scullin said. “I really felt like one of the best.”

While Scullin and Updike both participated on the wrestling team last year, Woods-Johnson took a break after her sophomore year, so coming back to the sport presented some challenges.

“[I prepared to compete at state by] showing up to practice even though I didn’t want to and pushing myself in the workouts and doing what it takes,” Woods-Johnson said.

Woods-Johnson had to put in a lot of work this season to get match ready. Not only did she see the improvements herself, her coaches saw it as well.

“She’s gotten more confident,” girls wrestling coach Paige Scott said. “She’s had to put a lot of work in to build up her strength and get to where she needed to be to even start the season. But I couldn’t be any more proud of her and the dedication she’s put into building herself up.”

Preparing to compete in the state tournament might have been stressful, but having a good support group made things a lot easier for the wrestlers.

“My support system has all been great,” Updike said. “I don’t think I’ve ever had anyone believe me more in that moment.”