Allison Vacek doesn’t really consider herself a trailblazer.

While she has played a significant role in building the Warrenton girls' wrestling program from the mat up, the current senior was the first out of necessity, not desire.

“I’m happy that the girls on this team don't have to go through everything I went through my freshman year exactly,” Vacek said. “When I first started, there were (two) of us. A lot of the boys didn't want us in their room, you know. So, it's like, we had to fight just to get space. It feels good knowing the girls I have on the team now.”

Vacek, who is wrestling at 170 this season, is coming off a year in which she finished sixth in the state in Class 1, wrestling at 155 pounds. She returns to a team that’s now 12 wrestlers strong.

Warrenton’s other returning state medalist is junior Alexis Ruff, who placed second at 120.

Warrenton coach Clayton Olsson said that the girls' program is taking plenty of positive steps towards mirroring the overall success the boys' program has had over the years.

It’s not just about the results, the coach said.

“I think a lot of our expectations are based more around effort, work ethic and character,” Olsson said. “It doesn't really change too much. We still expect to be good sports to carry themselves with dignity, and honor on the mats, and then to battle to the last minute.”

Olsson said there is a solid core of wrestlers ranging from state tournament hopefuls to state title contenders.

Others who should have lofty expectations include sophomore Melanie Gurrero (150) and seniors Kylie Vance (235), Dakota Lohrmann (135), and Meredith Donovan.

“Melanie has been working her butt off all year,” Olsson said. “She's looking really good, and we're hoping that she can break into not only the state qualifier round, but she looks like she's on the verge of even being a state medalist in her first time to State. We've got a couple more, Kylie and Dakota, who are helping lead the charge, who haven't quite busted through. (those girls) and Meredith (are the ones) that we're hoping that this senior year they get through.”

Just as he hopes for each of his wrestlers, Olsson said his goal is to see the team ‘bust through’ this season and achieve personal and team success.

“Over the last couple of years, we've had one state qualifier and two state qualifiers,” Olsson said. “We're hoping to get four, five, six state qualifiers. We’re aiming for three medalists, with Allison leading the way. I’ll be excited to watch this year. I think they'll do a lot of good things.”

For her part, Vacek said she wants each member, whether younger or older, to be aware of something significant.

Even though it may look like an individual sport, wrestling is very much a team game.

“Some of the hardest weeks that we have this season and to let them know that no matter what, we're still a team,” Vacek said. “Even if it feels like when they go out on the mat they’re all alone. We're all here for each other.”