One of West Creek’s mottoes is “The Creek is Rising.” Well, as far as girls’ wrestling is concerned, it has risen and is at full flood stage. The best part is that room still exists in the Creek for more.
In a historic run at the TSSAA State Wrestling Championships last Friday and Saturday in Franklin, Tennessee, the girls’ wrestling team earned a second-place finish, representing the highest finish of any TSSAA sport in West Creek’s history. They finished behind perennial championship contenders Cleveland High School and just ahead of local rival Clarksville High. A total of 69 public and private schools battled for the title.
Junior Jes Barefield continued to rack up medals, winning the state championship at 126 pounds. She defeated Siegel High’s Abigail Vanderheyden 5-2.
The three-time medalist earned her first championship after finishing runner-up the previous two seasons. Her freshman year she finished sixth, her sophomore year she finished second and this year she brought home the gold.
“It feels surreal, like all the hard work I put in had paid off,” Barefield said. “I had to trust the process.”
Barefield gives credit to the entire Coyote wrestling squad, both boys and girls.
“The team is like a big family,” she said. “Everyone loves everyone and has a fun time, but when it comes down to it, we are serious about winning. [Head] Coach Brock [Budesheim] and [assistant coach] Shane [Fierge] see our potential and make us work it. They see the champs we can be.”
Barefield is already looking forward to the next wrestling season. “I’d like to thank my coaches and teammates for pushing me and my teachers for bearing with me,” she said. “I can’t wait for senior year to show off in all my sports. Hopefully, all the hard work pays off.”
Barefield wasn’t alone in bringing home gold. Sophomore Mariana Bowen, at 138 pounds, also wrestled her way to a state championship. She defeated Delilah Queen of Knoxville Catholic 3-2. She is now a two-time medalist.
The Lady Coyotes also had a State runner-up in freshman Lexi Dean at 120 pounds. She fell to Natalie Shane from Bradley Central 9-6. Junior Eleasa Renken placed third overall at 132 pounds, and junior Jehieli Valez-Almodovar placed sixth at 185 pounds.
The Lady Coyotes will look to improve upon this season’s historic run next year. They return every wrestler on the team.
