On Saturday, Feb. 4, senior Dream Walker became the first female wrestler at Northwood to win a State Championship.
Walker competed in the Women’s Regional Wrestling meet on Friday, Feb. 3, where she competed in four matches. From there, she went on to compete in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s (NCHSAA) State Championship Wrestling Meet the following day.
“I was very hesitant leading up to the match,” Walker said. “I lacked confidence and wasn’t mentally prepared for the entire week leading up to Regionals and the State Championships.”
Despite her struggles, Walker discussed her options with wrestling coach Josue Pena, athletic trainer Jackie Harpham and athletics director Cameron Vernon. She was motivated by their belief and confidence.
“Seeing that people believed in me and were proud of me leading up to the match inspired me to continue,” Walker said. “I had no idea I would make it to the state championships until it all happened, which made it much more exciting.”
After her first day of matches, Walker felt confident in her ability to win.
“I was so nervous, but I just took it one match at a time,” Walker said. “I stepped into the ring and knew that I would win. That’s just the mentality that you have to have. When they announced that I [had] won, I knew that all of my hard work paid off.”
Walker won the heavyweight division of the NCHSAA Women’s Wrestling State Championship Invitational after competing on the women’s wrestling team since her freshman year.
“I placed fourth in the state my freshman year,” Walker said. “Winning this year made it seem like a full-circle moment knowing that every practice since then has been for a reason… I’ve been wrestling since fifth grade, and I’m sentimental knowing that my wrestling season has come to a close.”
After graduation, Walker plans to attend a four-year university. She knows that she will continue to implement the skills and knowledge that she has learned through wrestling later in life.
“Wrestling is a very mental sport,” Walker said. “It’s just about believing in yourself and knowing that all of your hard work has been worthwhile. Even if I don’t continue wrestling down the road, I know that it has all been worth it.”
