These senior wrestlers paved the way for the future of Bronco girls wrestling. Some participated before it was even KSHSAA-regulated. Their participation has changed their lives and created memories they will cherish forever. These are their reflections on their careers. 

Campbell Mermis, 12: “Wrestling has done something for me that I never imagined it would. It has made me stronger in every way and made me the person I am today. It is one of the hardest things I have ever done in life, and I think that is what makes it so special. Every loss and every hard practice takes a toll on you. The best moments of wrestling make all the hard days feel like nothing. It has shown me the kind of person I am truly capable of being. It has brought me strength I never knew I had. I never believed my coaches when they told me I would be a state champion. I didn’t think someone like me could ever achieve something like that. Through endless amounts of hard work and constant perseverance, I proved to myself just how much I was truly able to accomplish. I will never be able to express to my coaches how much they mean to me or thank them enough for everything they have done for me. This has been an unforgettable journey that I wouldn’t trade for the world.” 

Elliana Ruffin, 12:

Seventh grade was the first time Ruffin thought about trying wrestling. Ruffin believed that there was no way that they could make it through the season, and they had already committed to playing basketball. After deciding not to continue basketball in high school, there was a free winter season to possibly add wrestling. Coach Tucker Woofter asked if Ruffin wanted to participate, and Ruffin chuckled at the idea once again. The idea of wrestling kept nagging Ruffin, so when the winter of sophomore year came around, Ruffin started to seriously consider wrestling.

“So, sophomore year was the year I caved, and I haven’t looked back since. I started out on JV unsure of where this journey would take me. I was completely new to the sport, having only watched a little bit before. As the season progressed, I pulled ribs out of place and was going to the chiropractor three times a week. I was in a lot of pain, and was wrestling a lot of the girls who had been wrestling a lot longer than I had. I ended up ending [my junior] season with a winning record and qualifying for the state tournament. My senior year came, and I was so ready for the season. I ended up placing at every tournament, [and] getting first at our first tournament of the season. I was league champion and placed fifth, at regionals. I had a tough tournament at regionals, so when we started prepping for state I knew I had to lock in. I had the best week of practice of my life and felt ready for state. I ended up making it to the finals. I was proud of myself for doing that. I finished the season as state runner-up, and couldn’t be happier with how my senior season of wrestling went. Through the hard, long practices, early mornings, extra running and conditioning to lose weight for weigh-ins, giving up some of the things I loved to eat for the season… All of that, I wouldn’t change it. It has shaped me into who I am today, and has taught me that I can really do anything I set my mind to. I will forever be grateful to my coaches who saw it in me even years before I actually started it.”

Madison Veal, 12: “Nothing sums up wrestling like the quote, ‘It doesn’t get easier, you just get better.’ Nothing about wrestling is easy, but you gain resilience and discipline and toughness. This sport is truly the hardest thing I have ever done on so many levels.. Wrestling has taught me what true grit and resilience is. Sometimes you spend eight hours waiting in the bleachers to get up, give it your all, and lose three times in a row, but It’s the special days that keep you going. When you fight hard and get first place in a tournament you lost the year before,  that’s what wrestling is. 

Wrestling is also the friendships you make, the lessons you learn, and the mental toughness you gain. I wish I would’ve started [wrestling] sooner. I will cherish the friendships that I have gained from wrestling forever. The shared experience, highs and lows, and everything in between is what makes those friendships even stronger. The best practices were the hardest ones, when we would all come together and high five each other just to get through it. The strength, both mental and physical, I have gained from wrestling has really helped me with confidence and has shown me that I am a lot stronger than I thought. I am very thankful to everybody who supported me, cheered for me, showed up for me, was tough on me, and celebrated with me.”     

Rosemary Mader, 12: “Wrestling is a sport that a lot of people find intimidating. Some think it’s too tough or just plain scary, and many aren’t ready to put in the work. But for me, it has become something special — it’s given me a family that I would do anything for. One of my favorite coaches once told me, ‘Wrestling isn’t just a sport; it sets you up for the rest of your life,’ and that really stuck with me. This sport has helped me grow into the best version of myself and has taught me to be resilient. Over the past three years, wrestling has changed how I see the world and face different situations. I’ve come to realize that I don’t just have to do these things; I get to, and I always want to give my best, putting in 110% every time. I’ll always treasure these amazing girls and everything they’ve done for me; they’re not just my teammates — they’re my family.”