By: Hunter Ferguson

Mannford wrestler Aubrey Merrell spoke to VYPE in a recent interview.

VYPE: What are your personal goals for the year?

My personal goals for the year are to make it on the podium at state and be the best wrestler to my abilities.

VYPE: What is your favorite athletic memory?

My favorite athletic memory was qualifying for state last year and being the first girl wrestler at Mannford to accomplish that.

VYPE: What teammate has left the biggest impression on you and why?

Nettie Lasarsky has left the biggest impression on me because even when things got hard for her she kept going. She always pushed me to be the best wrestler I could be and even though she is hurt and can’t wrestle this season she still shows up every chance she can to support us and that’s what a true teammate and friend does. She inspires me every day because she is strong and can get through anything life throws at her with a smile on her face.

VYPE: What is your favorite part of being on this team?

My favorite part of being a part of this team is that we are all a big family and all of them are always there for support.

VYPE: What Clubs or Campus groups are you involved with and why?

I’m a full-time student online, I take college prep classes and have a full-time job at Kathy’s Mason Jar.

VYPE: What has your sport taught you that you use in your daily life?

This sport has taught me a lot. One thing that it has taught me is you will win and you will lose, but if you never give up and you work hard every day you will achieve your dreams and goals in time.

VYPE: What is the best advice that anyone has given you?

The best advice I have ever been given was at regionals last year coach Cochran told me “Don’t be afraid of success.”

VYPE: Who inspires you and why?

There are a lot of people who inspire me but the two people that stand out the most are my coaches. Coach Cochran and Coach Furr, they are always there for all of us kids pushing us every day to be the best we can be and supporting me every step of the way.

VYPE: Here is your chance to give a shoutout or say thank you to anyone you wish.

I would like to thank my aunts Emily Heiliger and Christina Butler for supporting me, loving me as one of their own, and being there for me on this long journey. I would like to thank my mom and dad for loving me and giving me this opportunity to be a wrestler. Most importantly I would like to thank my coaches. Coach Furr for always being someone I can talk to and always teaching me crazy new things. Coach Cochran for believing in me and making me who I am today. Trish Furr for being there for me as well when I needed her and if it wasn’t for her and coach Furr I would not have gone to regionals my freshman year and be the wrestler I am today. I will never forget how far all of these people have gotten me in life and how important they are to me.