by Marianne Gasaway
Olivia Fausnaugh became Clear Lake’s first student-athlete to qualify for the first Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union State Championship. The senior didn’t earn a placement at 155, but Fausnaugh exhibited the will of a champion and has provided inspiration for the program, according to her coach.
“She didn’t want it to end the way it did. She was looking for a different outcome,” said Coach Ray McQueen. “I told her to be proud of how far she’s come. She put in the work doing extra workouts after school, always watching matches from tournaments and continuously asking what she can do to improve. It doesn’t get any better than that. All coaches want their athletes to give 100 percent and Olivia gave that, plus more. She’s not only an outstanding athlete but an amazing student as well.”
Fausnaugh opened competition against Maddie Pulis, of Fort Dodge. Not only was Pulis seeded higher, having pinned Fausnaugh earlier in the season, but she is a friend in the sport, adding to the difficulty of facing her. Nonetheless, the two battled to an exciting 3-0 decision, with Pulis moving on in the championship bracket.
Claire Miller, from Denison-Schleswig, was Fausnaugh’s next match.
Miller scored a quick takedown, but Fausnaugh responded with a reversal and eventually back points to establish a 7-2 lead. The second period ended with Fausnaugh ahead, 7-5 after Miller managed a reversal and escape. The score was locked at 7-7 in the third before Fausnaugh escaped for a one-point lead. However, in the final seconds Miller was able to tie the score again and push the match to sudden victory, where she scored a takedown, ending Fausnaugh’s high school wrestling career.
“My hope for next year is that everyone that goes out works just as hard and seeing their teammate make it to State lights a fire in them. It’s possible for all of them if they commit and work hard for it. I’m excited to see what next year brings and am already planning on how to make it even better.”
