Hannah Hollick-Mitchell, shown at the Metros Wrestling Championships in late January, is heading to the state tournament.
The Manitou Springs wrestling team will have two representatives heading to the state wrestling tournament at Ball Arena in Denver.
For Terry Lindh, it will be a story of redemption as he missed last year’s Class 3A tournament after the field was reduced because of the COVID-19 pandemic. For Hannah Hollick-Mitchell, it will be a story of trailblazing as she becomes the first girl in school history to wrestle at the state tournament.
Both wrestlers advanced by making their way through regional tournaments and placing in the top five. Lindh finished third in the 285-pound bracket, while Hollick-Mitchell took fourth in 215. Abby Reeves was one spot away from joining her teammates as she finished sixth.
Lindh qualified for state as a sophomore but missing out last year isn’t too much of a concern when it comes to being mentally prepared for this week.
“I don’t think it will hurt him too much,” coach Paul Bonner said. “It was a weird COVID year and we only had two guys per weight class. He’s grown a lot this year. I think he’s placed at just about every tournament he’s been at and he’s on a mission.”
That mentality will be a big factor heading into the tournament’s start on Feb. 17. He’s trading nerves for determination, which can be the difference between being tentative or aggressive on the mat.
“I know how it’s going to be,” Lindh said.
“It’s going to be huge and there are going to be a lot of dudes there from every region. I’m just going to do the best I can and place as high as possible.”
In just the second sanctioned season of girls wrestling, Hollick-Mitchell becomes the first Mustang to qualify for state.
She joins a crop of athletes who will make history in their own way. Last year’s state tournament was held at the Southwest Motors Events Center, so this year marks the first time the collective group of girls wrestlers will compete on the Ball Arena floor.
A little more than a week ago, she was the first female Manitou wrestler to win a league championship and she stressed that her goal was to keep making history for the school.
Simply being the first girl to compete at Ball Arena isn’t enough for Hollick-Mitchell — she won’t be satisfied unless she places in the tournament.