Senior Lucy Hicks has been on the wrestling team for three years, winning matches against both boys and girls all over Hampton Roads. This year, she placed 3rd overall in her weight class at regionals and progressed to states, but it wasn’t easy.
During practice, Hicks sprained the AC joint in her right clavicle.
“It was heartbreaking and so painful, physically and mentally,” said Hicks.
Despite the fact that she wasn’t supposed to be able to wrestle again this year, Hicks continued working tirelessly with the help of her coaches, teammates, and trainers.
“She had to do physical therapy at the trainer’s office and couldn’t do contact wrestling,” said Senior wrestling manager, Stephanie Crabtree. “When she was cleared to do contact, she was only allowed to wrestle the coaches because they knew how not to take it too far.”
Hicks stayed after school every day and practiced for hours.
“In the beginning, I had to take things one step at a time, and that was so annoying and crushing because I knew how close regionals were,” said Hicks. “ I had to believe that I could make it, and then I did.”
Hicks attended regionals at Kellam High School in February. With 32 wrestlers in her weight class, she had a long road to the podium.
“I had to remember this thing my coach told me,” Hicks said. “It repeated in my head at least 100 times. He told me: You will never wrestle at 100% again.”
Regionals were tough, and despite Hicks being the 5th seed out of 32, the matches each had their own unique challenges. She ended up using a similar technique each time, ensuring her spot on the podium and at States.
“Regionals was a life-changing moment for her and the entire team,” said Crabtree.
Hicks placed third in regionals, toppling records, and becoming the first and only woman on the team to participate AND place.
Looking towards the future, who knows what Hicks will overcome next, but as she says herself, “They didn’t say I had a comeback for no reason.”
