Things are looking up for Zion-Benton’s Rachel Williams-Henry. That could mean fewer smiles among her opponents.

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%.

“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.

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.

“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.