Getting sick with strep throat the weekend before the Class 1 girls State Wrestling  Championships proved to be a blessing in disguise for Alexis Ruff. 

While many would have seen this as a setback, it turned out to be a hidden advantage. Normally, nerves would consume the Warrenton sophomore before a match, as she often spent hours pacing back and forth. But this time, feeling drowsy from illness, her mind was quieted. 

“Coming back from being sick, I was kind of drowsy and it turned my thoughts off,” Ruff said. “I could just be Alexis and go out there and wrestle like Alexis without getting in my head. I gave it all I had and now I know what I’m capable of.” 

At her very first state tournament on Feb. 26-27, Ruff not only earned a state medal but made history as the first Warrior, alongside Allison Vacek, in the girls program to ever medal at the state level, securing second place in the 120-pound class. 

“I honestly was not expecting this. I am just so thankful and overwhelmed,” Ruff said. 

Her path to the championship match was a testament to her grit. After winning both of her first-day matches, Ruff advanced to the next day. She battled through all three periods with her first three opponents and won by either a decision or major decision. 

In the championship bout against Fulton’s Mackinzie Brewer, she entered the match with her signature “Philippians 4:13” written on her leg for extra motivation. 

“We prayed with her to have that peace going into it,” Coach Clayton Olsson said. 

Despite falling to Brewer in the second period, Ruff was proud of herself. 

“It was genuinely one of the best experiences I’ve ever had,” Ruff said. “Going out into the finals was super cool with all of the lights. It was just great, and I had fun.” 

The long two-day event gave Ruff plenty of time to overthink, but being surrounded by her coaches and teammates helped her feel calm. 

Whether it was the car ride down to the Mizzou Arena, going out to eat or simply talking with her friends, she was able to stay present in the moment. 

“When I was walking around or talking to people, I was thinking about what’s in front of me and I just thought wrestling will come when it comes,” Ruff said. “I know that I can get in the zone 10 minutes or five minutes before, and I don’t need all that time to think about the match.” 

This is only Ruff’s third year in the sport and her motivation to become a state champion one day is more evident than ever. 

“I'm going to work hard in the off-season and I’m going to get there, I know it,” Ruff said. 

“Her first year of wrestling, she broke her collarbone so in really just two and a half years, she’s already made it to the state finals,” Olsson added. “It’s hard to get there and hopefully we can repeat it.” 

Ruff ended her sophomore season with a 42-9 record. 

“I just want to thank everybody for supporting me– my family, coaches, friends– they’ve all been so great to me. I want to thank the Lord for giving me the opportunity to be here. It’s been amazing,” Ruff said.