Senior Cadence Duvall sat down with Contributing Writer, Ben Stackhouse, to discuss her success this season before regionals this weekend.

What made you start wrestling?

“I was walking down the hallway one day, and Mr. Lehr and Mr. Rumps pulled me over and asked if I was doing any winter sports. I said ‘yeah, I was in dance.’ They were like ‘you’re going to join wrestling, and I was like ‘okay.'” 

How have you made yourself better?

“I’ve been working hard with my coaches about finding moves that work for me compared to what everyone else is learning…and just working more one-on-one with the coaches.”

How are you feeling about your success?

“It’s weird because coming off my first season, I went 4-11, so having a really good season this year just [doesn’t feel] normal for me.” 

We found out that you are ranked in the top 10 in the state; what were your initial feelings on this feat?

“The news kind of shocked me. I wasn’t expecting it. I found out from our wrestling group chat that Amelia [McClure] texted…and I was just like, ‘wow I’m top 10!'”

What kind of offseason did you have? 

“In my off-season, I was in track and field, throwing, and then I was also in football. I just feel like being able to work out within those sports helped me get my strength for wrestling.” 

What is your pre-ritual routine before your match?

“I usually have my headphones playing some kind of upbeat music… usually it’s Heartless by Kanye West. That’s what’s playing, and then I just visualize myself wrestling the person I’m wrestling and visualize myself winning going into every match.” 

21-3 is huge; is this the best you’ve ever felt competing?

“It is the best I’ve ever felt. I’ve never done this [well] in a sport before. I’ve always kind of been just mediocre at everything, so it’s weird having this big of a win!”

Is there anything else you would like to add?

“I just really want to encourage girls who are interested in wrestling to join, and anyone in middle school who is wrestling to keep going. It’s very much a growing sport, and it’s such it’s so it’s worth it just to be here and be a part of this growing sport.”

What are your plans after high school?

“I’m still undecided. I have a few wrestling offers from a couple of colleges, and I’m just trying to figure out what’s best for me.”

Duvall and her teammates will head to their regional tournament at Pontiac High School on Saturday, February 1.