Alayna Ray victorious as Girls’ Wrestler of the Year

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — In the world of high school wrestling, where the mat becomes a canvas for dreams to be painted, Alayna Ray’s brushstrokes have left an unforgettable mark.

Ray claimed the coveted title of the Girls Wrestler of the Year at the 2023 Semoball Awards on Friday, July 14, 2023, at La Croix Church in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

“It feels amazing and I was very excited whenever they called my name,” Ray said. “I started wrestling because no other girls were wrestling at the time. I always wanted to play a sport where I could be my own person. I played soccer and even tried out for basketball but every other sport was more of a team sport while wrestling was more independent and I liked that. One thing I would tell other girls is just do it. You can only try. If you don’t like it then there are other sports. But it never hurts to try.”

Sikeston's Alayna Ray earns a pinfall victory in the first-place match of the 235-pound weight class at the MSHSAA Class 1 State Championships at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Missouri on Thursday, Feb. 23. (Submitted by MSHSAA)

As Ray reflected upon her momentous achievement, her words resonate with humility, dedication and a profound sense of fulfillment.

“This award means that I am being recognized for the sport that I put my everything into,” she said. “It means a lot especially because I have been doing it a while. Since I won’t be wrestling in college this was the final step to end my journey.”

Ray’s dominance in the 235-pound weight class was nothing short of remarkable. With a phenomenal 27-4 record, she established herself as a force to be reckoned with on the mat.

Sikeston's Alayna Ray has her hand raised after a pinfall victory in the first-place match of the 235-pound weight class at the MSHSAA Class 1 State Championships at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Missouri on Thursday, Feb. 23. (Submitted by MSHSAA)

Overcoming numerous challenges along her journey, Ray’s relentless pursuit of success culminated in a triumphant high school career.

“Some challenges I’ve faced as a female wrestler is not getting as many matches as the boys,” Ray said. “I only had to wrestle boys in middle school. This has shown me that not everyone is going to treat you differently or go easy on you. Wrestling boys was tough but it helped me see how hard of a sport it is right off the bat. I just make sure to show up to practice ready to learn. People in practice probably get tired of me because I ask lots of questions about simple moves. I do that because I want to make sure, 1000 percent, I have it down so that whenever I get to my match I know what I’m doing.

“Mentally I just try to focus on something other than wrestling,” she continued. “I don’t get in over my head and I don’t try to act like I’m better than anyone else. If I know I practice the move and it’s good or even perfect then I know I don’t have to worry about my skills on the mat.”

Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat

Ray claimed both the MSHSAA Class 1 State Championship and a District Championship.

However, it was her breathtaking finale that truly encapsulated her dominance. With a remarkable display of skill and precision, Ray orchestrated seven consecutive pinfall victories, culminating in a state title where she dispatched all four opponents in an astonishing total of nine minutes and 13 seconds.

Despite joining Sikeston halfway through her junior year of high school, Ray was embraced by a network of coaches, teammates and mentors who believed in her potential and pushed her to new heights.

Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat

“I’ve had a great support system,” she said. “I moved to Sikeston and only knew one person on the team that wasn’t the coach. I didn’t have a bond with anyone but by the end of my senior year, I had a family. Everyone was very supportive and always was cheering me on. My coaches were my best friends. [Sikeston head] coach [Blake] Angle was always pushing me. [Assistant] coach [Charles] Micheal was always helping me perfect my moves and giving me the best pep talks. Lastly, [assistant] coach Jacob May was my best friend. He always knew what to say and when to say it.

“I also had [Sikeston wrestling club] coach [Ronald} Coleman who was there to help and a few other people who came in to practice and worked with us,” she concluded. “Without everyone that was there to help me, I wouldn’t be as successful as I am.”