Eelynn Hayden and Jillian Conn, best friends and wrestlers on the McCracken County girls wrestling team will get a chance to wrestle one more time together this high school wrestling season. The duo both put together a strong showing of grappling in the First Region tournament over the weekend — Hayden claiming a region title in the 120 lb weight class, and Conn finishing fourth in the 117 lb class.
The top finishes propel them to the State Tournament next weekend in Lexington where they will look to represent McCracken County and enjoy one more weekend of high school wrestling for the season together.
“We have been through a lot together these last couple of months and through the years we’ve wrestled together,” Hayden said. “It’s great to have someone to talk to on and off the mats and lean on each other, and be there to support each other.”
“I am really excited that I get to go with my best friend to cheer her on and compete with her,” Conn said on the opportunity to take the trip to Lexington with Eelynn.
Both sophomores, the two have grown into wrestling together, being their every step of the way as they have helped build the Lady Mustangs wrestling team.
“One time at a meet I heard someone say ‘McCracken County girls are really tough.’ Whenever I watch any of my teammates I think the same thing and I’m just proud to be a part of this team and represent McCracken County at state next week.”
“I’m really excited to go to state to represent McCracken,” Conn said. “I’ve worked hard this season by devoting time to the gym and focusing on my nutrition to get to this point.”
Last season Hayden finished third in her weight class and seventh the year before. This year her goal is gold.
“The goal has been first for the past two years, but this year I’ve been working extra hard and have been focusing on my mindset,” Hayden said. “My goal this year has been finding a healthy wrestling/life balance. It’s easy to get burnt out as a high school athlete, so I try to compete at my highest while also just having fun.”
Making the state tournament yet again is the best of both worlds for Hayden as she now turns her attention to the state meet.
Joining Hayden and Conn in Lexington will be fellow teammate Emmery Evans. The eighth-grader finished fifth in the regional meet and qualified as an alternate for state.
Also taking the trip from western Kentucky is a duo from Caldwell County. Kerili Herran and Virginia Stewart both placed second at regionals in the 145 and 185 weight classes, respectively.
The KHSAA Girls State Meet is set for Saturday, February 28 at Alltech Arena inside the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY.