PBHS wrestler focused on defying the odds

Poplar Bluff wrestler Zoe Freeman is defying the odds and setting her sights on becoming the best in the state.

Freeman is a sophomore wrestler for the Lady Mules, but before girls wrestling was even a thing, she got her start as a seventh grader competing against the boys.

As a multi-sport athlete, Freeman enjoys anything physical and sees wrestling as another sport to conquer.

“I’ve always liked physical sports,” Freeman said. “I always wanted to do wrestling, but I could never really convince my mom to let me do it. I wanted to make a statement that girls could go out there and make something for themselves in the same sport, so I dove right in.”

Freeman said seeing a close family member succeed with wrestling inspired her, and she saw it as an opportunity to make a name for herself.

Fast forward to her sophomore year, and Freeman has become a favorite to bring the Lady Mules a state title. But in the beginning, the vision wasn’t so convincing to others.

“When I first started, I had a few coaches tell me I wouldn’t win much or I wasn’t going to make it through,” she said. “I believe hearing that just motivated me to go even harder and look how far I have come.”

After finishing 10-3 for back-to-back seasons, Freeman said she wanted to take her training more seriously, despite playing three different sports in the eighth grade. Heading into her freshman year, she decided wrestling would get her total commitment and dropped all other sports.

In an attempt to learn as much as possible, Freeman stayed busy with wrestling camps and taking pointers from anyone willing to teach her, and it paid off as she made a significant impact as a freshman.

“Going into freshman year, I had no idea what to expect because I knew high school was a big step level when it comes to like the skills,” Freeman said. “Fortunately, I ended up placing my freshman year, and now that puts a lot of pressure on me.”

“I am now known as the state placer here in southeast Missouri, and now I feel I can’t do anything less,” she added.

Under pressure, diamonds are made, and Freeman said she is up for the challenge as she prepares for a run at state.

With the wrestling season gearing up for the district tournament, Freeman said there were many challenges within wrestling she’s overcome, but overall, it’s been good.

“I think I’ve gotten better at handling the outcome of matches,” she said. “Losing at the beginning of the season helped me understand that losing is okay. It’s about how you take the loss and what you can learn from it.”

The coaches also have seen her rise thanks to her commitment to the sport.

“Zoe has really thrived since she first started in the seventh grade,” said coach Kelton Thompson. “She’s put a ton of time in the offseason, and when the doors are open, she’s here. She has done a lot to get better every year, and I’m proud of her.”

When Freeman wrestles at her full capacity, she’s as good as anybody, Thompson said. He encourages her to focus on the process and not allow the pressure to consume her.

“I know Zoe will be great if she continues to do what’s got us here and follow our system the right way, then she will have a great run for state,” Thompson said.

Freeman said the process to having a successful wrestling postseason is to get mentally prepared and block distractions.

“ I plan to go out there and focus on the little things because wrestling is mostly about your mentality,” Freeman said. “If you go out there with the wrong mentality, you’re not going to do as well, but if you go out there with a positive mindset, great things will happen.”