Making history, and displaying skill and determination, CHS senior Abby Dennington became the first girl to qualify for the state under the Indiana High School Wrestling Coaches Association. The Girls’ State Wrestling Tournament was held on Friday, January 12th, 2024. For a wrestler to qualify for this event they would need to win a top four place at regionals, and at semi-state they would need to win the first two matches. Dennington successfully achieved this, and made her way all the way to state, and competed.
Dennington first competed in the regional’s tournament held in Mishawaka, Indiana. She placed fourth, which allowed her to move on to the Penn Semi-state tournament. At this tournament she had to face Alyssa Adams from Hobart, and Cyanna Leon from Wawasee. In both of these face-offs, Dennington was determined, leading to her win, and secured her position at the Girls’ State Wrestling Tournament, held in the Memorial Gymnasium, in Kokomo, Indiana.
Dennington dedicated her time, mindset, and efforts to this goal. She worked diligently to compete. Dennington conditioned, practiced, and took in knowledge to improve her skills, to be able to believe in herself, and to believe she could achieve her goal.
“I went to many practices, watched a bunch of videos of wrestling, and talked over a lot of things with my team in order to be able to achieve this goal,” Dennington exclaimed.
Being able to attend the Girls’ State Wrestling Tournament was a great accomplishment for Dennington to achieve, and she was honored that her hard work, knowledge, and dedication paid off.
“It felt amazing to be able to qualify for state this year because it was a big goal of mine to achieve,” Dennington expressed.
Dennington traveled to the Girls’ State Wrestling tournament held in Kokomo, Indiana. She went head-to-head against another girl who made it to state and got pinned. However, this did not stop Dennington from being grateful to make it to state, and to achieve her goal in her wrestling career.
“I was upset that I got pinned, however my overall goal was to make it to state, and I made that happen,” Dennington explained.
