Alexus Yancey tried to suppress tears as she rose from her coach’s chair.
Her mind flashed back to the first year that girls wrestling was a sanctioned sport in Missouri, when she herself earned a spot in the 2019 state tournament as a sophomore at McCluer High.
For five years, Yancey remained the only McCluer girls wrestler who had ever qualified for the state tournament, and she had a clear purpose in mind when she returned to her alma mater as an assistant coach this winter.
“I was the first, and I was ready to get the second one in there. It’s lonely at the top,” Yancey said with a laugh.
Mission accomplished.
McCluer junior Demetria Higgins scored a 12-3 major decision in her ‘bubble match’ at the Class 2 District 2 girls wrestling tournament last Saturday to join Yancey as the only McCluer girls wrestlers to make the season-ending trip to Mizzou Arena for the state meet.
“My mindset was that it’s ‘do-or-die,’” Higgins said of the decisive match. “There was a scripture in my head about, ‘Work as hard as if you’re doing it for the Lord.’ I couldn’t give it up. I was ready to die for that match.”
The Missouri State High School Athletic Association state tournament will take place Feb. 26-Mar 1 at Mizzou Arena in Columbia. The Class 1 girls and Class 1-2 boys tournaments are scheduled for Feb. 26-27. Class 2 girls and Class 3-4 boys tourneys will occur Feb. 28-March 1.
State Wrestling Schedule and Information: https://www.mshsaa.org/content/Wrestling/InformationCentral.aspx
In her ‘bubble match’ in the 140 weight class, Higgins secured an early takedown against Fort Zumwalt South sophomore Kaylee Brown, then earned three more in seizing control of the contest. As the match reached its final seconds, Yancey felt her emotions sweep over her.
“I was holding back tears,” Yancey said.
She added, “She definitely deserved it. She’s hard-working, she’s determined, she went for it and she got it done.”
Higgins (29-11), who had a record of 21-21 after her first two seasons, credits Yancey for pushing her to new heights, especially at times when she did not feel capable of giving 100 percent.
“She is always on my tail. She believed in me more than I believed in myself. Even when I was tired, she still made me do it,” Higgins said.
In addition to Higgins’ talent, Yancey noticed character traits that reminded her of that young sophomore wrestler who earned a coveted spot in the first Missouri state tournament in 2019.
“I see a lot of me in her. Her ability to push forward even when there’s self-doubt. Being able to bounce back after you lose a couple matches. I wanted to be the coach for her that my coaches were for me when I was in high school,” Yancey said.
Higgins is the perfect ambassador to wear the McCluer singlet in Columbia this week. An outstanding student in the classroom, Higgins spends much of her free time performing community service by volunteering with Upward Bound and through working as a Certified Nurse’s Assistant in a program at North Tech High School.
“She’s a great student and a great person. You couldn’t ask for anyone better to make it,” McCluer head coach James Marloch said.
Higgins first ventured into the McCluer wrestling room as a freshman in hopes of learning how to better defend herself. She soon realized she had a talent for the sport.
“I was very hesitant about it. I thought, ‘What if I get hurt?’ But I’m strong and I picked up technique, and once I saw how good I was, I thought, ‘This is pretty fun,’” Higgins said.
She is proud of the progress she has made individually and will be equally proud to represent her school when she walks inside Mizzou Arena with the capital letter ‘M’ on the front of her singlet.
“It feels so good, not only making it to state, but making it to state for McCluer,” Higgins said. “McCluer has a connotation to it, and I want to show that we’re better than what people think.”
Higgins, who also plays volleyball, wants to study kinesiology in college and become an athletic trainer or physical therapist in the future.
“I want to stick around sports but I also want to be involved in the medical field,” she said.
But first, Higgins will embark on a journey that only one McCluer girls wrestler has ever experienced – participation in a state tournament. She will face Fort Osage sophomore Madison Lightner (31-18) in her first match Friday afternoon.
“I’ve never seen state and that’s the exciting part about it,” Higgins said. “I’m expecting at least eight mats, but after that, I don’t know what to expect.”
Luckily, someone in her corner, does.
“I’m so excited to keep helping her make history,” Yancey said.
Girls Wrestling state bracket: https://www.trackwrestling.com/Login.jsp?TIM=1740527624297&twSessionId=somwdjmqmj&tName=MSHSAA&state=&sDate=&eDate=&lastName=&firstName=&teamName=&sfvString=&city=&gbId=&camps=false
For photos of Class 1 and 2 state girls wrestling past and future, visit https://benvessa.smugmug.com/Girls-Wrestling-2024
Thanks for the great article. We really appreciate the recognition. From the McCluer Wrestling Family.