Sandwich’s Ashlyn Strenz is The Times’ 2023 Female Wrestler of the Year – Shaw Local

Sandwich junior Ashlyn Strenz admits that even after having a very successful second season, she really didn’t have any specific goals in mind or written down for last winter’s campaign.

But in her defense, she really didn’t know what path her season was going to take.

As a sophomore, Strenz remained with the Indians men’s team as they reached the dual-team state tournament for the first time since 2012. She was also an individual section qualifier in 2022, winning a regional title at 106 pounds and a section match.

Last season, she chose to enter the girls’ status series, the first to do so in the program’s history.

“I really didn’t know what I was going to do at the start of the season. I assumed I could wrestle in the girls playoffs, but after helping the boys last season, I wasn’t sure,” Strenz said. “I guess I just couldn’t imagine changing from what I did last year. So I didn’t really have any specific goals in mind when the season started.

“I will definitely bring them in next year after competing at girls state this year.”

“There was a time when I didn’t like working on things I wasn’t good at or fixing bad habits I had, and it all happens in training. But I’ve learned that in order to improve and become the wrestler I want to be, I have to keep working on my flaws.

— Junior sandwich wrestler Ashlyn Strenz

Strenz qualified for state after winning three straight matches at 115 pounds before falling in the title shot at Geneseo Sectional. Then, at the IHSA Girls Wrestling State Meet at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington, she won three of five matches and finished fourth with a State Medal in hand.

For her efforts, Strenz was named The Times 2023 Girls Wrestler of the Year.

“It was just interesting to see so many girls there [at the state meet]said Strenz, who finished the season with a 24-16 record, with many of those games coming against boys. “I guess I really hadn’t thought about the fact that women’s wrestling is growing every year, and how many girls like me have found it to be a sport they love.

“I wouldn’t say it was overwhelming, but it really opened my eyes a bit to the growth of women’s wrestling since I started in elementary school. It was pretty cool to see and be part of it.

Strenz said she had made huge improvements in her results on the mat, but it was the mental part of the sport that she felt had taken the biggest leap forward.

“I think in wrestling you have to be good at a number of different aspects to be successful,” Strenz said. “I actually think, at least for me, having the right mindset is the biggest key to success. I get super nervous before a game, so I have to tell myself to calm down and remember that I ‘ve worked hard to prepare for anything. I also think it’s important to come into a match with a chain of moves that you think will work, but because things change it’s also important to have secondary plans to fall back on.

“There was a time when I didn’t like working on things I wasn’t good at or fixing bad habits I had, and it all happens in training. But I’ve learned that in order to improve and become the wrestler I want to be, I have to keep working on my flaws.

Sandwich coach Derek Jones says he and Strenz have sat down and talked about his postseason options during the regular season because the girls’ and boys’ state duels are on the same weekend. .

“Ashlyn, because the girls’ state series is separate from the boys, had to choose one or the other,” Jones said. “I feel like if she had chosen to wrestle on the boys side, she would have been regional champion and sectional qualifier again.

Jones said he had “all the confidence in the world” that Strenz would qualify for the state medal, despite stiff competition.

“She has a future interest in sports as it relates to advancing her athletic career after high school,” Jones said. “It was the main decision after talking earlier this season about her entering the girls’ series.

“I feel like she really showed her skills during the regular season, and I was thrilled that she got to show those skills on the big stage in the state. I know and I was impressed for three years how tough Ashlyn has been. I’m sure she opened her eyes there, and I hope the college women’s wrestling coaches were watching.

As for Strenz’s goals in mind for next season?

“Obviously getting back to the state is the No. 1 goal,” Strenz said. “Finishing higher then would be No. 2, but I think my main focus right now is just to try and improve in all aspects of wrestling that I can and be ready to go early in the game. next season.”