Cypress Sun - Sports
Bobcat wrestler is a state contender
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| Cy-Fair senior wrestler Julie Smith has finished in the top five at the UIL Girls Wrestling Championships the past two seasons. She has set the goal of winning state this season. |
By Michael Sudhalter
She’s come close twice.
Now, Cy-Fair High senior wrestler Julie Smith won’t settle for anything less than a state title at the UIL Girls Wrestling Championships this March in Austin.
“I know it’s my last opportunity, but it’s still the same fun as its always been,” Smith said. “I know it’s going to take a lot of hard work. I have to put in all the hard work on the mat, do a lot of running and get mentally prepared. I’ve put a lot of pressure on myself, it’s such an important goal to win state. I think it’s achievable.”
Smith, who wrestles in the 128-pound division, enters the Cy-Fair ISD Tournament Friday and Saturday at the Berry Center with a 22-1 record.
“She has so many different moves, and she works really hard and focuses in practice,” Cy-Fair wrestling coach Jeremy Lippert said. “She’s very coachable. When she does it, she does it right. She focuses on getting the little details right.”
“If I held practice twice a day, she’d come twice a day. She’d do anything to become a better wrestler.”
Smith, 17, got interested in the sport three years ago through a program at the Cypress United Methodist Church.
She decided to join the Bobcats’ team, grew to love the sport, became a three-time state qualifier (finishing fourth and fifth, respectively, the past two seasons) and a two-time team captain.
“We have a really close team,” Smith said. “It’s challenging, I like the challenge.”
Smith’s work ethic has been a model for others on the squad, said senior teammate Lauren Rice.
“She shows me what to do and how to do it, great leader, awesome wrestler and never gives up,” Rice said. “She’s always on her toes, learning something new to try to beat the next person she’s going to see.”
Smith hopes to continue her wrestling career at Oklahoma City University.
She’s dedicated to earning a scholarship and participates in freestyle wrestling programs during the offseason.
Smith even took up cross country the past two seasons as a way to improve her conditioning and endurance for wrestling.
“I like working out, I like wrestling and I like any chance to get better,” Smith said.
She credits Lippert with motivating the team and teaching wrestling techniques.
“He really expects a lot out of us,” Smith said. “He pushes us, makes us a lot better. I’ve learned so many moves from him. Stuff that I’ve actually used and ways to get ready for matches.”
Lippert feels fortunate to mentor such a talented athlete, and he hopes to see the usually-calm Smith reach her full potential this season.
“She’s just super-dedicated,” Lippert said. “She’s very technically sound, but the best she’s ever wrestled was after she lost her first match at the UIL State Tournament. She wrestled angry and wrestled like she’d never wrestled before. She’s a fighter when she needs to be. I hope that person will come out this year.”
Now, Cy-Fair High senior wrestler Julie Smith won’t settle for anything less than a state title at the UIL Girls Wrestling Championships this March in Austin.
“I know it’s my last opportunity, but it’s still the same fun as its always been,” Smith said. “I know it’s going to take a lot of hard work. I have to put in all the hard work on the mat, do a lot of running and get mentally prepared. I’ve put a lot of pressure on myself, it’s such an important goal to win state. I think it’s achievable.”
Smith, who wrestles in the 128-pound division, enters the Cy-Fair ISD Tournament Friday and Saturday at the Berry Center with a 22-1 record.
“She has so many different moves, and she works really hard and focuses in practice,” Cy-Fair wrestling coach Jeremy Lippert said. “She’s very coachable. When she does it, she does it right. She focuses on getting the little details right.”
“If I held practice twice a day, she’d come twice a day. She’d do anything to become a better wrestler.”
Smith, 17, got interested in the sport three years ago through a program at the Cypress United Methodist Church.
She decided to join the Bobcats’ team, grew to love the sport, became a three-time state qualifier (finishing fourth and fifth, respectively, the past two seasons) and a two-time team captain.
“We have a really close team,” Smith said. “It’s challenging, I like the challenge.”
Smith’s work ethic has been a model for others on the squad, said senior teammate Lauren Rice.
“She shows me what to do and how to do it, great leader, awesome wrestler and never gives up,” Rice said. “She’s always on her toes, learning something new to try to beat the next person she’s going to see.”
Smith hopes to continue her wrestling career at Oklahoma City University.
She’s dedicated to earning a scholarship and participates in freestyle wrestling programs during the offseason.
Smith even took up cross country the past two seasons as a way to improve her conditioning and endurance for wrestling.
“I like working out, I like wrestling and I like any chance to get better,” Smith said.
She credits Lippert with motivating the team and teaching wrestling techniques.
“He really expects a lot out of us,” Smith said. “He pushes us, makes us a lot better. I’ve learned so many moves from him. Stuff that I’ve actually used and ways to get ready for matches.”
Lippert feels fortunate to mentor such a talented athlete, and he hopes to see the usually-calm Smith reach her full potential this season.
“She’s just super-dedicated,” Lippert said. “She’s very technically sound, but the best she’s ever wrestled was after she lost her first match at the UIL State Tournament. She wrestled angry and wrestled like she’d never wrestled before. She’s a fighter when she needs to be. I hope that person will come out this year.”
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