Before the crowd arrives and the lights turn on, certain athletes are already preparing for their time, their moment, their story, on the big stage. Hearts are racing, heads are pounding. The biggest moment of these young athletes’ careers is about to take place.
After the long season of nonstop hard work, dedication, and pressure, through conference and districts, very few athletes make their way to the top, the state tournament. Regardless of the outcome, these athletes are the best of the best.
Fourteen athletes from wrestling and swimming pushed their way through every competition, every opponent, and every injury all the way to the state tournament. While all athletes accomplished a major milestone by getting to the state tournament, only very few of them placed which is another great accomplishment.
Boys wrestlers Maddoxx Jones (12) and Paxton Hughes (12) both placed in the state tournament with Hughes receiving the sixth place medal and the third place award going to Hughes.
Along with the medalists from wrestling, girls swimming also had their share of state medalists. Delaney Bartels (11) advanced to the finals in the 100 yard backstroke where she placed 14th overall in the state while also setting a new personal best time of 1:02:17. She also placed 23rd in the 100 yard fly and 24th in the 200 yard medley relay.
“It felt really good cause I haven’t dropped time for a while,” Bartels said. “Then I was also the first person at Liberty to place at state in swimming.
Not only did Bartels place, but Briana Petrova (9) finished 25th in the 200 yard Medley Relay, 25th in the 500 yard Freestyle, 26th in the 200 yard Freestyle Relay, and 24th in the 400 yard Free Relay.
Becoming a state athlete is a dream for most high school athletes. Finishing the match and looking up at the scoreboard to see your name placed in a medal position is an athlete’s dream.
“It was such a euphoric feeling in a way,” Hughes said. “It felt so good but it was also bittersweet because it’s over, no more wrestling.”
For the seniors, this was the last time they would compete at the high school level, and for some of them, it was the last time they would ever compete in their sport.
“There’s obviously good sides about that too but I think it was the best way to end it,” Hughes said.
Being a state athlete comes with its challenges, but if you prepare, the possibilities are endless. For some athletes their pregame routine consists of listening to music. However, there are routines and traditions out there that are unique.
“We usually have pasta parties so we feel carb loaded before the meet,” Bartels said.
While no one ended up getting first place at state, these athletes are still the best of the best in the state and deserve the recognition.
