Faith Cole – HS Athlete of the Week

Girls’ wrestling began in the state of Missouri four years ago and has grown over that time and a young lady from Lafayette has broken the glass ceiling in being a trailblazer in those four short years. Faith Cole took the reigns of this sport and brought them to new heights this past weekend at the Missouri State High School Activities Association State Championships.

Cole became the first female high school wrestler in the state to complete her four-year career undefeated as she became a four-time state champion. She also joined one of the most elite clubs in high school sports joining just three other boys’ wrestlers in accomplishing this feat.

Cole knew that the expectations were high heading into the season and how winning the state championship in the 110 lb. weight class would put her into such an elite group.

“Going into the season, I was pretty excited because I have grown up with a lot of the boys as I was part of the little league with them and they have become my brothers through my high school career,” stated Cole. “I was excited to lead the girls’ team as I was elected as the team captain, so I was excited for that. I knew what the expectations were going to be this year and I was excited for the opportunity to be able to do that. I want to thank MSHSAA because without them sanctioning wrestling my freshman year, I would not have become the first four-time state champion.”

Cole knew walking onto the mat at Mizzou Arena that the emotions and feelings this year were going to be something that she has not ever felt.

“I felt different emotions depending on the match,” said Cole. “I knew that I struggle with anxiety, and I have an amazing therapist and his words have improved my pre-match to be able to compete better. I was nervous about my first match, so that got through it. I did not think I wrestled my best match, but I got through it. So, I took it one match at a time and when I got to the final, I had zero nerves. As my coach said, be excited, not nervous.

Some people and athletes think that being on the big stage and performing on such a high level can be nerve-wracking, not Cole. She strives to be on that stage.

 

“I love wrestling in front of a big crowd,” stated Cole. “The crowd motivates me, and it helps me to make my perfect moves and it motivates me to make sure that I get that pin to help my team place third in the state, which is what happened this year. It was an unbelievable experience, and the atmosphere was unreal. It was something that I will never forget.”

Cole won the championship match with a pin and when she stood atop the podium to receive her medal, the crowd at Mizzou Arena stood and gave Cole a standing ovation because they knew that history was just made.

“That was just unreal,” said Cole. “After seeing a boy on the podium after he accomplished the same thing my sophomore year and received the same ovation, I had accomplished my goal that I have been working towards the past four years and it was such a relief. I knew that I had made my dad proud and my mom had no reason to worry anymore. I could see my coaches tearing up and I wanted to look around the arena and see the look on everyone’s face. This was an emotion that I have never felt.

Cole’s head coach Kayla Walker was indeed proud of what Cole accomplished and how this is going to help the sport of wrestling for females grow in the state of Missouri.

“Her accomplishment is something she earned for women’s wrestling and that can not ever be taken away,” stated Walker. “Faith has worked so hard for that moment Saturday and I’m so proud of her for doing it. She wrestled clean and concrete all tournament that it was clear on day one that she was going to be the state champion for the fourth year in a row and no one was going to stand in her way. She’s helped grow women’s wrestling in Missouri with her success and how vocal she is about growing the sport. I hope that it continues to grow as other females see these opportunities and successes are possible.”

Cole knows that what she has done has not come easy and that it was all about hard work and proving a lot of people wrong.

“I have received some negative feedback and a lot of positive comments from people, and it is OK because this is an emerging sport and not everyone is going to be on the same page about it,” said Cole. “I hope to change their opinion about that and I hope that the future girls change their opinions as well.”

Cole has more to achieve as she has a 3.6-grade point average in the classroom, and she will be taking her talents to the next level. Where is her next stop? Only she knows.

“I have the highest of goals and I strive to be an Olympic and World champion and I want to be part of those teams,” stated Cole. “I am wrestling in college. I am keeping my top schools quiet for the time being, but I will be announcing in the next two weeks.”

Faith Cole is a true leader in the world of girls’ wrestling and the classroom at Lafayette High School. Congratulations on being named our HSSC/Scoops with Danny Mac Student-Athlete of the Week!