With Philippians 4:13 marked on her leg, Warrenton sophomore Alexis Ruff entered her wrestleback match at the Class 1, District 2 Tournament at St. Charles West with an unwavering support, knowing she could do all things through Christ who strengthened her. 

With only one chance left to qualify for the Class 1 state wrestling tournament, the Biblical verse was just the extra motivation she needed to defeat St. Charles’ Syria Bell in the third period. When the realization struck that she was bound for Columbia, Ruff was overcome with emotion and immediately ran to embrace her coaches.

“I’ve been dreaming of this and it was just a relief because I was a little stressed,” Ruff said. “I really, really wanted this, so it’s overwhelming and a good feeling.” 

Ruff qualified for state for the first time this past weekend in the 120-pound weight class. During the district tournament, she lost in a 5-3 decision to Holt’s JoJo Watkins, which sent her to the consolation bracket. But Ruff’s resilience shined through. After advancing in wrestlebacks, she faced Watkins again in the third-place match. This time, she came out on top, winning 6-3 to pick up a third-place medal.

“Going into that last match, I knew what she was doing so I could play beforehand and counteract that. And it turned out how I wanted it to,” Ruff said. 

Joining Ruff at Columbia will be junior Allison Vacek, who will be competing at state for the third time. The state tournament is scheduled on Feb. 26-27.

“They have wrestled their very best and it has been awesome to see them work through each and every discouraging moment they have had and continue to rise up and overcome it,” Warrenton coach Michaela Brownlee said. 

Vacek placed third in the 155-pound weight class. She said going back to state this year is special after she tore her ACL over the summer.

“It was a huge goal of mine to even get back to wrestling and nonetheless qualify, so it feels really good,” Vacek said. “I’m just really grateful for everything and I’m glad I got to be here.” 

After going through physical therapy, Vacek returned to the mat just weeks before the season started. She will take a 31-6 record into the state tournament.

Vacek said her goal going into every match is simple.

“The hardest part about wrestling is the mental part,” the junior said. “I want to stay out of my head, so wrestling my match and how I want to wrestle is going to be the biggest thing.” 

The Warriors finished ninth at the district tournament. Junior Dakota Lohrmann and freshman Melanie Guerrero each came up one win short from qualifying to state.

Brownlee said she hopes Ruff and Vacek will turn in strong showings in Columbia. 

“I know they [Ruff and Vacek] have so many nerves going through them but at the same time, they’re going to step on the mat at state and do their very best,” Brownlee said. “In the next two weeks, I’m excited to see them keep drilling their very best and not take any breaks.”