By Jena Seidemann
Student Life Editor
Up and down the Buddy Echols Field stairs Coppell Wrestling goes with teammates upon their backs. The conditioning is for a greater purpose than fitness, rather, they do it as a part of a foundation that build champions and assure dominance during the season.
JV boys, first for girls varsity and second for boys varsity at District 5-5A Tournament last weekend at Colleyville Heritage High School.
Individual district champions included Coppell High School’s Anna Woo (95-pound division), Charlotte Lee (110), Erika Lozano (138), David Murillo (145) and Roger Moe (heavyweight) while Leisa Hernandez (155) and Koa Moa (185) won second.
From New Tech High@Coppell, Anna Novosadoa (148), Heli Dave (128), Cara Romeike (119) and Geoff Yut (182) were individual champions. Coppell had 23 wrestlers that placed individually in the top four.
“We are very happy with the result,” head wrestling coach Chip Lowery said. “The varsity boys had a chance for first but some of the starters were injured, but it was an improvement from last year when all the teams were in second place. We want to get boys on top of podium again.”
From district, the top four will advance from each category, and the top four from Class 5A Region I Meet, which will be held at Allen High School tomorrow and Saturday, will advance to State. There are eight girls and nine boys attending regionals.
Competition wise, Coppell looks to edge out district rivals Lewisville, who were regional champions last year. Dallas Skyline, Euless Trinity and South Grand Prairie are also part of the stiff competition.
“[Lewisville has] beaten us in most of the big tournament this year, but we beat them in districts last week, “ Lowery said. “There will be lots of quality schools. The guys region is tougher because there are more teams.”
After a season of improving their form, Lowery said the biggest factor the team needs heading into regionals is the mental part of wrestling.
“Right now we are working on the mental aspect of it; we know we have trained hard,” Lowery said. “[We tell the team to] not let the pressure get to you; wrestle your match.”
In the very tight knit group, there are many talented players such as Romeike. Hoping to finish senior year on a high note, she hopes for the team to advance past regionals and then to state along with earning individual awards.
“We have a lot of girls graduating,” Romeike said. “I hope that wrestling will become more popular so that the team will continue to be one known throughout the state.”
