On Jan. 8 at 5 p.m., girls wrestling GACs started as LHS’s two female wrestlers prepared ready to wrestle at Francis Howell North. The schools that attended the conference tournament were: St. Charles, Holt, Timberland, Washington, Fort Zumwalt North, Fort Zumwalt West, Fort Zumwalt South, Fort Zumwalt East, Winfield, Francis Howell North, Francis Howell Central, Troy-Buchanan, Francis Howell, and Liberty (Wentzville). St. Charles won first place as a team with a score of 185. Liberty (Wentzville) finished in 10th place out of 14 schools. 

For the weight classes, they used traditional brackets. If you lose once, you get placed into the losers bracket, however, if you don’t lose you are placed into the winner side of the bracket. Sophomore Lil Clay brought home third place in the 122 pounds at the conference and sophomore Elektra Lowe got silver (second place) after losing to King from St. Charles in the 132 pounds.

“There’s a lot of things that I can learn and be good at, but all I am trying is to get better as I go,” Clay said halfway through the tournament. She appreciates how they’re doing, that they’re standing up because everyone believes this is just a boy’s sport but there’s us, girls, out here kicking butt. Overall, she just appreciates all the women who come out of their comfort zone to try something new like this sport.

Lowe’s current record is 8 wins and 2 losses while Clay’s current record is 8 wins and 5 losses. 

“I’m just grateful that we had a chance to compete this year in wrestling,” Lowe said. “I believe the girl’s team this year will be amazing as long as we don’t give up.”