One girl. Four years. One hundred victories.
Senior Charlie Freese won her 100th wrestling match at the 22nd Annual Cypress Fairbanks ISD Girls Tournament Jan. 3-4 at the Berry Center in Cypress, Texas. She had been keeping track of her wins over the years until she reached 100.
“I was so excited,” Freese said. “I remember jumping up off of the mat and cheering and looking at [my] coach with the biggest smile on my face telling him that I finally got 100 wins.”
Freese said she had to stay determined and go out there with one thing on her mind: the countdown to the 100th win.
“The match was originally supposed to be my semifinals match on the winners side of the bracket, but after a series of unfortunate events in my quarterfinals match, I was placed in the consolation bracket, and had another upset in my consolation quarterfinals,” Freese said. “But I still had my last chance to get it in the match for 7th place, so I wrestled on a mission and won.”
Freese said she will focus on improving by watching films and reviewing mistakes that need to be fixed. She practices at least three days a week, lifts twice a day, and goes on a run in the morning before school.
“Practicing just helped me better my skills and strength as a whole, and that increased my drive and determination to push myself,” Freese said.
Wrestling coach Donovan Kleckner has coached Freese for four years since she joined the wrestling program as a freshman. He said he typically implements two harder practices and two easier practices in the week. Kleckner tries not to have tough practices the day before a competition to ensure the wrestlers are not too tired.
“She was pretty good as a freshman, but I’ve seen her become one of the most mentally tough wrestlers that I’ve ever coached,” Kleckner said. “She practices very hard and prepares for her matches the way any coach would want one of their best athletes to prepare.”
For her 100th win, Kleckner said Freese was wrestling a girl she had previously beaten in the tournament, so he had confidence she would do it again.
“When she did win I was so happy for her,” Kleckner said. She completed something that the majority of wrestlers probably won’t complete in their career
Kleckner said he is impressed with Charlie and her growth as a wrestler. He is excited to see how the rest of this year plays out for her.
“I know she wants to compete at the next level and any school who is willing to offer her a chance to compete for them is making the right decision,” Kleckner said. “She’s been one of my favorite athletes to coach!”
