West Ottawa trio aims to reach state, keep girls wrestling program among state's best
PARK TWP. - Since girls wrestling became an MHSAA-sanctioned sport, West Ottawa has been one of the top programs in the state.
Two years ago, the first MHSAA girls season, the Panthers sent four to the state tournament, then sent four again.
This year, three remain from the group and are looking to keep the dominance going. Isabel Anaya, Abrielle VanderZwaag and Le'Anna Zavala lead the Panthers into Sunday's regional tournament at Gull Lake.
"They are close-knit and push each other in the room," West Ottawa coach Mathias Sarli said. "They go at it in practice and are best friends outside the wrestling room. It is great to see that close bond."
More: West Ottawa's Isabel Anaya wrestles to third in state; two more girls all-state
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Anaya, a junior, won the regional title at 235 pounds last year and finished third at state.
"We have a really close bond, almost like we are sisters. It is just really fun being around them," Anaya said. "This year, I am working on my mental game. I don't worry as much as I used to. I would like to aim for top three, even higher. I am hoping to get first. Knowing I (got third) last year helps a ton."
VanderZwaag, a junior, was a state qualifier at 145 but after building muscle while recovering from a knee injury, she is up a weight class to 155.
"After I got my knee surgery, I have a lot better mobility. I am working on that (day by day). Last year was tough at state before I had surgery. I couldn't put pressure on my knee," VanderZwaag said. "This year, I just want to make it to state. When I was out I did upper body and core and I still had to wait to do lower body, but now I have a lifting class and we do a lot of lower body now. It is more important as a female wrestler because boys throw each other (with upper body), but it is more about staying down and using your legs and hips.
"Isabale and Le'Anna are like my closest friends. It is more of a family."
Zavala, a sophomore was a state qualifier and regional runner-up last year at 170.
"It is a privilege with me to wrestle with Isabel and Abby. They tought me a lot. Last year, I didn't know how much of wrestling was mental. I learned a lot last year about things that get in the way. I have to get over some of those things, and I was able to this year," Zavala said. "I learned to use my nerves to perform to the best of my abilities. I am hoping to get regional champ this year."
The trio is all a step ahead of last year and looking for a big finish.
"We were concerned about Abby's knee, but she is back and looking to get to Ford Field again," Sarli said. "Isabel is a beast in practice. She is going above and beyond, winning tournament after tournament. I know she has aspirations to be in the state finals, and she works hard enough to get there. Le'Anna is fiery and hates losing. They are competitors, and you love seeing that."
Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: West Ottawa trio aims to reach state, keep girls wrestling bond
