Gulf Breeze's Lily Powell wins PNJ Athlete of the Week award, preparing for state tourney
Lily Powell is making her second trip to the FHSAA Girls IBT State Championships next weekend in Kissimmee at Silver Spurs Arena.
Gulf Breeze’s Powell, claimed the 115-pound weight class crown at the District 1-1A championships. During the district tournament, Powell recorded three pins en route to the title. Her efforts led her to being named PNJ Athlete of the Week for the week of Feb. 5-10, where she earned 44.12% of the votes on PNJ.com.
Each winner is awarded a one-of-a-kind PNJ.com Athlete of the Week T-shirt, provided by BSN Sports.
Powell has a 25-3 record on the season, and finished third at the Region 1-1A individual tournament on Feb. 17 in Tallahassee in the 115-pound weight class. That earned her a spot in the state tournament next weekend.
Below is a quick question-and-answer session with Power after PNJ sports reporter Ben Grieco spoke with her this week. Check back later for future winners and to vote in the next PNJ Athlete of the Week poll.
Q and A with Gulf Breeze’s Lily Powell
PNJ: You’re nearing the end of the season now, with the state tournament next weekend. What’s your junior year been like so far overall?
Powell: “It’s been so much fun. I’ve been the most successful I’ve ever been this season. I’ve worked really hard to get here. We got a new coach, who’s helped a lot.”
PNJ: Where do you think your biggest area of growth has been, going from last year to this year?
Powell: “My mindset and how I think about my matches, knowing what I need work on.”
PNJ: Is it more of a mental growth?
Powell: “I think so, yeah.”
PNJ: What’s the biggest thing you’ve changed with the mental side of the sport?
Powell: “We have a class at Gulf Breeze, where they teach us what to think before matches, and how not to be nervous. And how to get through things that would be hard if you didn’t know that they were hard. It basically just helps your thinking.”
PNJ: You have the district title and a third-place finish at regionals. What’s training been like leading up to the state tournament?
Powell: “We’ve been drilling over and over again. Consistency is everything. We’ve been working on things, trusting our training.”
PNJ: Is training any different leading to state, compared to district or regionals?
Powell: “Most of the time, we try to clean up some things, focusing on things we need to do more, rather than learning new things.”
PNJ: Where’s your confidence level going into state, after the postseason run so far?
Powell: “I’m really excited. I’m glad to have the opportunity to go.”
PNJ: What are you looking forward to most about the state tournament?
Powell: “Just wrestling as best I can.”
PNJ: Overall, what’s it been like seeing girls wrestling continue to grow not only in Gulf Breeze, but across the area and the state?
Powell: “I love to see it. We are always looking for new girl wrestlers. It’s one of the fastest growing sports.”
PNJ: Do you have a message to girls who might be on the fence about joining, trying to get them to try the sport?
Powell: “It’s just a great experience. If you’re thinking about doing it, just for it.”
PNJ: Now for a few questions about your teammates. Who would you say your funniest teammate is?
Powell: “Coby Shields. He’s always finding a way to make everybody laugh, and says all the right things.”
PNJ: How about your toughest teammate?
Powell: “I’d say probably Gavin Samons. He’s a really hard worker, and I wouldn’t want to wrestle him if I had to.”
PNJ: Who is your hardest-working teammate?
Powell: “I’m not sure. We all work hard, so it’s hard to single someone out.”
PNJ: Now for some non-wrestling related questions. If you had to have one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Powell: “Chicken alfredo.”
PNJ: If you were able to travel to one place, where would you go?
Powell: “Bora Bora.”
PNJ: How about a superpower?
Powell: “Time travel.”
PNJ: And would you rather be in the extreme heat or the extreme cold?
Powell: “The extreme cold. … I’d rather be freezing than sweating all the time.”
Ben Grieco is a sports reporter for the Pensacola News Journal. He can be reached on X (@BenGriecoSports) and via email at BGrieco@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Gulf Breeze wrestler Lily Powell wins PNJ Athlete of the Week award
