Only Girl On Plainfield Central Wrestling Team Wins State Title

PLAINFIELD, IL — A freshman at Plainfield Central High School has made school history by being the first woman wrestler to take home the first-place prize at the freshman/sophomore Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association state tournament March 12-13, officials said.

Not only is Alicia Tucker's win significant for the school, but the victory is sweetened as Tucker is currently the only girl on Plainfield Central's wrestling team.

"This year, Tucker has learned a lot of lessons as she mostly practiced and competed against the boys," Plainfield Central wrestling head coach Terry Kubski said in a statement. "She took those lessons, learned from them, and it showed at the IWCOA when she pinned everyone she wrestled."

Both Kubski and Assistant Coach Michael Witt commend Tucker's skill and said they see a bright future for the wrestler.

"She is always willing to help others get better at practice and is always excited to see them succeed on the mats," Whitt said. "She is quickly becoming one of our leaders on the team with her hard-working attitude with her supportive, friendly personality."

Tucker, who competes against both boys and girls, has been wrestling since sixth grade at Indian Trail Middle School, according to Tom Hernandez, District 202's director of community relations.

Inspired to try the sport her brother and father play, Tucker began wrestling after her parents vetoed her idea to play football, Hernandez said.

"I won my very first match and at that point I think I was just hooked," Tucker said in a statement.

To train for matches and tournaments such as the IWCOA — in which high school wrestlers who don't qualify for the Illinois High School Association state tournament can participate — Tucker practices in the weight room for five days a week, either with the team, during open mat time or with her club.

Looking ahead, the freshman said she hopes to wrestle in college and has her eye on qualifying for the Olympic team one day. But until then, Hernandez said Tucker is aiming to qualify for the IHSA state tournament next year.

"If I do that, absolutely I’m going to try and win it," she said.