Aiming to be the best: Tri-Valley's Spry aspires for title, highlights area girls at state

DRESDEN — There has been an explosion of talent in girls wrestling, and the Muskingum Valley is no exception.

Four girls will represent the Muskingum Valley League in this weekend's high school girls state wrestling meet at Ohio State's Schottenstein Center.

Tri-Valley sophomore Kandice Spry (110) highlights the group after winning a regional title.

Maysville senior Kelsie Bryan (145) will make her second state appearance after going 1-2 last season at state, while Sheridan junior Addyson Crane (115) and New Lexington sophomore Olivia Beaulieu (190) will be first-time competitors.

More: Tri-Valley's Spry wins girls regional title, headlines state qualifiers

Spry aiming for the top spot

Wrestling caught Spry's attention when she was younger, watching her coach, Sky Wisecarver, wrestle for Tri-Valley. The two-time state qualifier for the Scotties has influenced Spry, who took to the sport to create her own path.

"I told my mom after watching Sky I wanted to wrestle. My older sister was really good at soccer, and this was a chance to do my own thing," she recalled. "I started in fifth grade, and my mom said I was really good at it so I should stay with it. I really enjoy it and love the competition."

After being a state runner-up in seventh grade and winning the state title in eighth grade, Spry entered high school with high expectations. Unfortunately, her freshman season ended in disappointment instead of jubilation. She missed weight at the regional meet by .2 pounds, preventing a state berth.

It's been one of her motivating factors this season.

"I wanted to be a four-time state champion, and I won't be able to do that," she said. "It has kept me focused to make sure that I got to state this year. There will be tougher competition, but I've been working hard and driving myself to do better. I believe it will pay off."

More: Girls State Wrestling Bracket

Challenging Spry has been Wisecarver's focus. Spry was not allowed to pin opponents early in the season so she could work on her approach and technique. The plan also provided insight, which has allowed Spry to excel in the second half of the season, including at the regional where she earned three pins and a technical fall.

"We were purposely looking for losses so she could see where she stood and work on getting better," Wisecarver said. "Working with girls can be challenging since they are more flexible and have a lower center of gravity. She takes advantage of it because she doesn't have a set style and wrestles like a guy.

"Coaches watch tape on her, but they don't know what to expect when they get on the mat," he added. "For us, state will be a good learning curve. Her goals go beyond the state tournament, but this is a good first step."

It will be a different environment for Spry, competing in front of thousands. But, she has a plan to counter the atmosphere.

"I'll try to block it out and get in my own space, like I do for any match," she said. "I've set the bar high, and I want this. I won't be able to win four state titles, but my focus is to get one. This is a big opportunity for me."

Bryan relying on experience

Bryan has been driven to get back to state, aiming for the opportunity to stand on the podium.

"I was definitely nervous last year, and it's a different experience," Bryan said. "It's amazing to see how far the sport has come and watching it grow around our area has been awesome. I know it will be harder since more girls are out competing, but I'm also motivated."

Coach Craig Clarke, a long-time wrestling official, has been impressed with Bryan's development. He expects her dedication to be rewarded this weekend.

"She does what we ask of her and even stepped in to wrestle for the boys this season," Clarke said. "We were able to get her more of a girls schedule this season, and she has worked hard to get to this point. She also has younger wrestlers, girls and boys, looking up to her. They see how her hard work has led to her success.

"I know she is motivated and focused after last year and this being her last time," he added. "I know she has what it takes to stand on the podium."

It would be quite the accomplishment for Bryan, who didn't start wrestling until her sophomore year. She accepts being a role model, but she also hopes to set the bar for not only Maysville, but all area girls.

"We have a great community of girls wrestlers, and I'm excited to watch it grow," Bryan said. "I need to get in better shots and can't leave anything to chance. I'm going to dig deeper and leave it all out there on the mat because I want to place."

Perry County duo excited for big stage

Crane (34-8), whose brother was an All-Ohioan and a former district champion, admitted the anxiety of being on the big stage has long since settled in.

"The last couple of weeks I have been eating Tums like they are candy, almost," Crane said. "My first match I can win, but the second match is going to be a tough one. I got a decent draw so hopefully that helps."

The loss to Spry at the district was tough to take.

"I've known (Spry) for years, so I knew that was going to be a tough match," Crane said. "The thing that got me the most mad, was the kid I beat the week before was in the finals and I was going for third and fourth. But I knew I had a hard match for third and fourth, so I had to get over (the Spry loss) and get on to the next one."

Crane wrestled with the boys previously. She said on Wednesday during a practice at New Lex that wrestling with girls is easier, "because I don't have to worry about dudes picking me up and just carrying me around."

She would enjoy nothing more than earning a spot on the podium, which would require at least two wins. She opens with Canton South's Deanna Walters (20-6).

"I want to try and place this year, but really I just want to go up there and wrestle my best," Crane said. "Win or lose, I want to know I put everything into it."

Like Crane, Beaulieu (31-5) admitted she is nervous about what is to come. She has a first-round battle with Carrollton freshman Riley Alborn (35-3).

"This is my first year wrestling so this is all new to me," Beaulieu said. "It has been nerve racking. I think my chances are pretty good. I am just going to go up there and do what I know how to do, and hopefully we have a good outcome."

Beaulieu was a basketball player previously but had brothers who wrestled. When the coaching changed occurred within the basketball program, she switched allegiances.

She has proven to be a quick study on the mat.

"It just wasn't the same this year, just a lot of different things that went on," Beaulieu said of her decision to change. "(Coach) Josh (Castro) has always asked me to wrestle. He caught me one day and I said, 'I'll go out and try it.' The first practice I liked it and stuck with it. Growing up with two brothers who wrestled it was pretty easy to put two and two together."

bhannahs@gannett.com; X: @brandonhannahs

This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Four area girls aiming for strong finish at state wrestling meet