I began my journey as a multi-sport athlete, engaging in soccer, rugby, football, and wrestling. I started wrestling at the age of 8, and due to the lack of female competitors, I competed in boys' divisions. At 10, I made history by winning the boys' state championship in Missouri, becoming the first female to achieve this in a full bracket. I consistently placed in boys' state tournaments until high school, where a separate division for females was established. As the sole female wrestler for Grain Valley High School, I often faced boys and overcame the stereotype that girls shouldn't wrestle boys.
Despite not wrestling year-round like many of my peers due to my involvement in other sports, I excelled. My freshman year, I placed 3rd in state, and in my sophomore year, I became Grain Valley's first female state champion. I went on to win two more state titles, totaling three in my high school career. Additionally, I became an All-American, placing 4th at the USMC National Championships in Fargo, and earned Academic All-American honors.
My achievements, dedication, and kindness helped grow our girls' wrestling program at the high school level. By my senior year, we had 15 girls wrestling. In 2024, I was inducted into the Missouri Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. My high school career concluded with three state titles, four all-state and all-conference honors, academic all-state and Academic All-American recognition, the 2024 NWCA/USMC Character and Leadership All-American award, and the 2023 freestyle state title.
I am grateful for all the support I've received throughout my career. My incredible coaches have stood by me through injuries, defeats, and triumphs, always encouraging me to persevere regardless of the circumstances. Their unwavering support helped me overcome frequent self-doubt and taught me to believe in myself as much as they did. Known for my humility and kindness, I strive to uplift and encourage those around me to achieve success.
Despite facing tough losses, I continued to work harder and never gave up. Now, as a freshman wrestler at Missouri Valley College, I maintain a 4.0 GPA and am ranked #17 in the nation. My goal is to climb the rankings as quickly as possible. I aspire to be a role model for younger female wrestlers, demonstrating through my dedication and hard work that they can achieve their goals too. Whenever I have free time, I return to help with practices, giving back to the coaches who selflessly dedicated their time to me.
Wrestling has profoundly impacted my life, teaching me valuable lessons through its challenges. The toughness of the sport makes everything else in life seem easier.
Thank you for considering me for this scholarship. My parents have worked tirelessly to support my dreams, despite economic difficulties, ensuring I could always compete. Being a college student in sports is not an easy task. It is very hard to work full time with our schedules. This scholarship would help me with financial needs tremendously.
My first goal in college is to continue pushing myself to become an all American . I want to put my college on the map as a fierce competitor in girls wrestling. Not only have I always been considered an underdog, my college has been too. I want to prove that you can do anything you put your mind to. I will keep pushing through trials and tribulations until I achieve my end goal. I believe that through hard work and determination, I can inspire others to follow their dreams and achieve greatness, regardless of the obstacles they face.