For some people, playing a sport is a hobby or pastime in which to participate when there isn’t anything else to do. But for others, like senior Alicean Stottlemyer, her sport is more of a lifestyle. Stottlemyer is the co-captain of the wrestling team at CCCHS. Her daily routine, diet, and life in general have revolved around wrestling for the past five years. Unlike most sports, wrestling isn’t exactly seasonal. To stay in the class in which she competes, Stottlemyer maintains a certain weight by sticking to a rather strict diet year round and training for at least two hours a day for five days a week.

Stottlemyer became interested in wrestling after going to and watching her older sister’s wrestling practices and matches. Her sister, Tori, attended MTSU on a wrestling scholarship. Alicean has been committed ever since.

According to Stottlemyer, one of the upsides of wrestling is the independence and states, “When I lose a match, I know it’s something I myself did; something I need to work on. And when I win, I know it’s because I did it.”. Stottlemyer is actually the only girl from CCCHS to ever go to the girls’ regional wrestling competition. The team as a whole looks forward to the regional competitions, held on January 27th in Nolansville, Tennessee. The team’s ultimate goal for the season is to come home with a state championship title.

According to Stottlemyer, being a senior and the co-captain of the teams brings opportunities as well as responsibilities. She, along with the other wrestling captain, Andrew Lawson, have to make decisions for everyone on the team. “It’s a lot of pressure, for sure.” Stottlemyer stated. Being captain includes making sure the team brings positives and lessons away from every experience, including losses. Stottlemyer believes that wrestling has improved her discipline, and the way she tackles responsibilities. She hopes to continue wrestling in her future, and is already talking to wrestling coaches at MTSU.  The five years’ worth of dedication and hard work seems to be already paying off.