Here is a wrestling update from Coach Smith:
The ALX Invitational is never an easy tournament. It’s a mid-season grinder that tests exactly where your conditioning and mental toughness stand before we head into the new year. I am incredibly proud of how this group represented our program on December 20th. We walked away with some hardware, but more importantly, we walked away with a better understanding of what we're capable of.
Here is my breakdown of the performance at ALX:
The Finalists: Leading the Charge
Watching Elaine Wallace (Sr.) and Amiyah Rice (Jr.) work their way through their respective brackets was a masterclass in composure.
Elaine Wallace: As a senior, Elaine is peaking at the right time. Taking 2nd in a field this deep shows she is one of the top contenders in the region. She wrestled with a sense of urgency that you only see in seniors who know every match counts.
Amiyah Rice: Amiyah continues to be a powerhouse for our team. Her silver-medal finish proves she can hang with anyone. She stayed aggressive in her neutral transitions and showed a lot of heart in the championship bout.
The Grind: Fighting for Every Point
Wrestling back through the consolation bracket is often harder than staying in the winner's circle. It takes a different kind of "dog" to lose a match and then fight all the way back to the podium.
Jacob Young (Jr.): Jacob’s 4th-place finish was a testament to his gas tank. He didn't let a setback early in the day derail his focus. Taking 4th at ALX means you won some "blood round" matches where the pressure was at its highest.
Josiah Barreto (Honorable Mention): I want to personally highlight Josiah. In wrestling, the "podium" is the goal, but the "performance" is the standard. Josiah finished just outside the medals, but he wrestled some of the most technical and high-energy matches of the day. He gave a valiant effort that didn't go unnoticed by the coaching staff.
Hammers of the Week
The "Hammer" award isn't just about who placed the highest; it’s about who showed the most grit, leadership, and dominance on the mat.