As freshman Athalia Anderson stepped onto the podium for the 190 pound weight division, she was in utter shock. Anderson completed a feat she never even would have imagined. As Anderson walked through North Star’s doors back in August, she was intending to play volleyball. Now, she’s written in North Star history, not for total aces, kills, digs, or sets, but for being the first girls wrestler to reach the podium at the NSAA State Tournament.

Early December was the first time Anderson ever stepped on a wrestling mat. Practices were hard, the temperature in the wrestling room was purposely crafted to test the wrestlers. After prevailing at the district tournament, Anderson’s goal was to simply stay present and celebrate the mere accomplishment of making it to CHI. As Anderson stepped onto the mat and the eyes, lights, and attention beamed down for the first time, Anderson made an effort to be in a good mindset. Undeniably, the moment was nerve wracking for her, she was anxious and excited at the same time. These feelings were not uncharted for the young wrestler. Earlier in the season, Anderson had to prevail through new tribulations. Earlier in the season, her coaches helped Anderson reach her purest mental clarity when the anxiety and nervousness of competing tested her to her fullest. This time, Anderson persevered through the anxiety and let her mental strength decide her fate instead of yielding to unwanted thoughts.

Once Anderson stepped off the podium, the celebration commenced. Anderson’s friends, family, team, coaches, and student body rallied behind the newly-claimed champion. A love like no other, Anderson celebrated with her mother who watched each pin, escape, takedown, and reversal. Victory as sweet as cheesecake, Anderson’s mother baked from scratch a cheesecake to be cherished by the victor. The victory not only tasted sweet but sounded just as melodic. Earlier in the season, Anderson misplaced her prized headphones while wrestling. The headphones were more than music but a way to get in her “groove” before meeting the mat. As a surprise, her community gathered the funds to replace the lost possession.

“It feels so unreal”, Anderson added when processing her post-victory triumphs. Anderson will undeniably become a mentor and leader in the upcoming wrestling seasons. Anderson encourages girls who are curious about the sport to take a strong look at joining. “It is a really good experience, it will make you stronger both mentally and physically”, Anderson encouraged. “Just keep going hard, you are more capable of doing anything if you just put your mind to it”, Anderson stated when reflecting on what she would’ve told herself in December. A year like no other, a story of resilience and new beginnings closes one chapter but three more are yet to come.