Rachel Williams-Henry is hungry for more matches. Other 140-pounders might not be so eager for that.
The Zion-Benton senior has been limited by injuries so far this season but is getting close to 100%.
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“One of the best parts of wrestling for me is getting the chance to get my aggressions out on the mat,” Williams-Henry said. “I just want to be out there competing as much as I can.”
In her first season wrestling for the Zee-Bees, Williams-Henry went 4-2 at the Illinois High School Association’s first-ever state meet for girls in February, finishing fourth at 140 pounds. All four of her victories were by pinfall.
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She went 11-1 during the regular season before pinning all three opponents at the Evanston Sectional.
“I relied on my athleticism and strength a lot last season,” Williams-Henry said. “I had some moves that I could go to. But this season I’m trying to learn a lot more ways to break opponents down.”
Williams-Henry is a quick learner, according to Zion-Benton coach Hal Lunsford.
“She takes coaching and criticism well — better than most of the boys on the team,” he said. “She wants to work hard so she can be the best. That’s a good attitude to have.
“She’s working to get better on her (takedown) shoots and other things that can be improved. She’s definitely not a finished product yet.”
A volleyball player during the fall season, Williams-Henry was happy when Zion-Benton started a girls wrestling program last year.
“I thought it would be good for me to be in a sport that was physical,” she said. “I was surprised I had that much success in my first year competing.”
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Williams-Henry and junior Ileen Castrejon, who finished second at 170 pounds at the state meet, have been literal poster children for the program.
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“We have their pictures up promoting their accomplishments with hopes that other girls see what they have done and maybe decide to come out to give it a try,” Lunsford said. “We have close to 20 girls on our roster this season, and I think that’s partly due to the fact that girls like Rachel and Ileen had a lot of success last season.”
Lunsford won’t be surprised if Williams-Henry has another strong season. Competing nationally could also be on the horizon for Williams-Henry.
“I think Rachel has a chance if everything goes well to compete for Team Illinois at the Fargo (North Dakota) junior nationals (in July),” Lunsford said. “That’s the big goal in front of her.”
Williams-Henry said she hopes her six matches at the state meet at Bloomington’s Grossinger Motors Arena will pay dividends.
“I got a lot of experience at state last season, so that should help me if I get down there again,” she said. “I’m working hard to get better all the time, so I can’t wait to see how my hard work will improve my results.”
Darren Day is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.
