By Matt Browning

Hillsboro’s Rachel Schafer has had a unique path towards being a Class 4-1A ranked wrestler in the 145 weight class.

Schafer was homeschooled until last year, so being able to wrestle was the first her first sport ever. Over the last year, it has been a bumpy ride, that she hopes culminates into a memorable ending in 2024.

“I started wrestling after Christmas break, due to GPA requirements, and then my season was cut short when I broke my fibula in the beginning of February, the week of regionals,” Schafer said. “I was most excited to just get back at it, and see how much I had improved from the previous year.”

Before her injury last season, Schafer learned so much about what she needed to do to become not only a competent wrestler, but become of the best in her weight class.

“I am very big on the gym so I did a lot of simple strength training, and running for endurance,” Schafer said. “I attended a one day girls wrestling camp in Council Grove, which was my first wrestling of any kind since healing from my injury, and that got me very excited for this current season. I needed to improve on taking shots first in my matches, so I worked on my explosiveness, and just overall confidence in everything I did.”

At the time this profile was written, Schafer was 13-1, which was a significant jump from last season’s 7-9 record and her on track to be wrestling for something big in late February.

“My biggest goal is to simply wrestle in the state competition, and be a good role model for girls that are younger and newer to the sport,” Schafer said.