The girls’ wrestling at Pattonville had their districts on February 7-8. The team had eight girls who went to districts. They prepared at practice the night before and Coach Mueller gave them an inspiring team talk. They had very successful meets; two girls qualified for state, and three others were only one match away from qualifying from state.
This is Autumn’s Otis second time qualifying for state, and she is in one of the hardest weight classes in the state (142 lbs.). When talking about what going to state means to her she says she wants “to show the state of Missouri exactly what I’m made of and the heart I have for the sport.” Autumn had a few setbacks in the season, but she didn’t let this hold her back. “I just knew I wasn’t going to be the same as last year with my injury, but I still had faith in myself. I knew I had it in me to make it state once again,” Autumn says.
Desire Adams (166 lbs.), the other state qualifier, beat the number one seed with a pin in the quarterfinals. Desire just started her wrestling career this year, so she wasn’t sure if she would make it to state.
During districts it was a roller coaster for her. She recalled, “I lost the first round then totally changed my wrestling style and wasn’t sure if that would get me through.” Desire is excited for the state meet and is looking forward to seeing her other friends that wrestle. Both Girls’ and Boys’ Wrestling State Meet will be on February 20-22 in Columbia, Missouri. Go, Pirates!