By Blake Chadwick

Alexa Guzman is a big-time wrestler for Lyons High School and has a mindset that won’t let her be held down. The senior has been wrestling for eight years after quitting basketball, a sport she admits she hated with a passion.

“Wrestling was something different from what my brothers did, and I wanted to try something new, something that was only my thing,” Guzman said. “There weren’t many options, so I decided to give wrestling a chance, and I ended up falling in love with the sport.”

The seniors’ wrestling journey wasn’t all perfect, though. During her sophomore year, the school finally made a girls’ wrestling team, but due to not having a designated coach for the team, Guzman ended up quitting for the year.

“My junior year Coach Joel (Grizzle) joined us,” Guzman said. “He is an amazing coach, and he encourages us to get better every day. That year, we ended up with 71 wins, which is a huge improvement, considering we only got three the year prior.”

Guzman has always been the team leader and, at times, is also seen as the “momma,” according to coach Grizzle.

“She leads by example, loves on the girls when they need it, helps correct technique, and is in the coaching chair next to me when it is open.”