KIRKLAND In their first year competing in the state match, it would be easy to say girls wrestling is having a breakout season.
But on Feb. 2, around noon at Juanita High School where the consolation matches for the girls wrestling regional all districts are going on, its a small crowd, about the size of a regular dual meet.
M-P senior Robin Mueller is sitting in the stands, waiting for her consolation match. She talks up one fellow wrestler and sizes up another, her opponent in the upcoming match.
While Mueller started the winter season as a student trainer, she stumbled upon wrestling, which proved to be a natural fit with her two other sports, cross country and pole vaulting. With the endurance of a distance runner and the upper body strength of a vaulter, Mueller seems drawn to sports that have only opened to girls in recent years.
She added that while her strength gives her a natural advantage, it can be a crutch for wrestlers who rely too much upon it.
Wrestling is a lot like rock climbing, she said. Some people will go out there and rely on their strength, but its really a technical sport. You have to have the technique to go along with it.
A little strategy seems to be part of her plan too, as she watches Cascades Rachel Tomczyk spar with a teammate. She seems to have a plan to catch the girl off guard.
And Mueller delivers on the mat, pinning her Bruin opponent a minute and 46 seconds into the first round.
Though Mueller lost two earlier matches, she is proud of her improvement, especially a close 3-2 decision in her second match. The senior joined the wrestling team at the end of winter break and only participated in two matches before coming to Juanita.
With the win, shes an alternate to go to regionals Feb. 9 at Arlington.