Schools
Meet Angelica Mejia
Clover Park honor graduate took eighth at state wrestling tournament. Now, she's off to the Air Force, where she plans to study criminology.
Whiz Kid's name: Angelica Mejia
Whiz Kid's age: 18
Whiz Kid's school: Clover Park High School
Whiz Kid's accomplishment: Angelica, a 2011 honor graduate, will enlist in the United States Air Force in the fall. She plans to study criminology. During her time at Clover Park, Angelica was a member of the National Honor Society, a JROTC flag-detail commander and a Student 2 Student mentor. Her greatest achievement, though, was placing first at districts and eighth at the 2A state wrestling tournament in February.
Whiz Kid's key to awesomeness: Angelica credits her friends, family and wrestling coach William Wilson for her success. “They supported me and pushed me to do my best,” she said.
Angelica’s interest in wrestling was borne of her friendship with Justin Martinez, who was on the team. She came to Clover Park as a sophomore and he encouraged her to check out one of their practices. “I was just inspired by how hard he worked,” she said. “He was so focused and dedicated, and I wanted to be like that, too.”
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When junior year rolled around, Angelica turned out for the team – and lost every match but her final one of the season. “My first win motivated me,” she said. “If I worked harder every practice, I would get better and better – and then maybe be as good as Justin.”
It paid off the following season, as Angelica placed at regionals, districts and then battled to eighth in the state at the Mat Classic in the 145-pound weight class.