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LOCKED IN: Oak's Ferranti In A League Of Her Own
THE TERM, “BEING WISE BEYOND ONE’S YEARS” IS THROWN AROUND FAIRLY OFTEN TO DESCRIBE SPECIAL STUDENT-ATHLETES.
Klein Oak’s Rylee Ferranti is one of those special athletes, who truly manifests that notion into reality.
While she has dabbled in numerous sports over the years, including football, softball, baseball, basketball and swimming, Ferranti would eventually find herself on the wrestling mat.
“I was actually going to try football my freshman year because I’ve always been a bigger girl since I was little,” she said. “But, then I found wrestling and my coach told me I was a perfect fit because of my strength and size. It was a sport that made me feel welcome for my size, and I’m used to being physical having grown up in a house full of boys.”
It was a decision that undoubtedly paid off, given that the Klein Oak junior would go 46-3 and win State in the 185-pound weight class as a sophomore.
She would go undefeated and win another state title this winter.
“At first, I didn’t know that I had won because I thought we were in the second period when it was actually the third,” Ferranti laughed. “After they made the announcement, I was just thinking, ‘Wow, I did it’. I took a big breath of relief because I had put so much effort into it. Having all of that pay off was surreal.”
Ferranti isn’t done, yet.
“I feel like I can always improve,” she said. “If you don’t have that mindset, then you’ll never get better. Thinking you’ve hit your peak just slows you down. My goal this year was plain and simple – I wanted to go undefeated.”
Mission accomplished.
Her goals don’t end at the high school level. Ferranti naturally has her sights set on even greater ambitions.
“Long-term, I intend to take this to the collegiate level and I’m eventually going all the way up to the Olympics,” said Ferranti. “I don’t care how good of shape I need to get in or the mental pressure that comes with it. If I put my mind to it, I will get there.”
Considering all she has already accomplished, that statement feels more like a promise than a prediction. But, just how is it that Ferranti maintains this level of laser-focus?
“I’ve always had things going on in my life. It can all pile up on you, if you let it,” she said. “If I always have something to keep striving for, that just keeps me going and focused on the good things.
“If I want to be the best of the best, nothing is stopping me, except for myself,” she said.
With maturity beyond her years, coupled with her unwavering determination, it won’t come as a shock to see Ferranti live out her dreams in the near future. The first step is an undefeated State Championship in her junior season.
LEGACY ON THE MAT: UIL State Wrestling Championship Wrap
The Berry Center was loaded with H-Town representatives this past weekend, as several challengers staked their claim for a UIL State Championship on the wrestling mat.
Not so surprisingly, there were several notable performances which resulted in some hardware.
Big names such as Klein Oak's Rylee Ferranti, Riley Rayome (The Woodlands), Isaac Sheeran (Klein), and Avery Beckman (Friendswood) won their second-consecutive state title, further establishing their legacy as potentially all-time greats.
Of course, there were some first-timers on this list.
Check out who took gold at the UIL state wrestling meet, below.
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UIL Girls Wrestling State Champions
Avery Beckman--Friendswood 5A--185 lbs. **(Back-to-back State Champion)
Riley Rayome--The Woodlands 6A--114 lbs. **(Back-to-back State Champion)
Rylee Ferranti--Klein Oak 6A--185 lbs. **(Back-to-back State Champion)
UIL Girls Wrestling State Runner-Ups
Madison Canales--Foster 5A--132 lbs.
Arriana Beltran--The Woodlands 6A--107 lbs.
Vanessa De La Cruz--The Woodlands 6A--114 lbs.
Alexis Booth--Jersey Village 6A--145 lbs.
Anna Vogt--College Park 6A--145 lbs.
Brooklyn Lawrence--Oak Ridge 6A--152 lbs.
Lumiere Kahongo--Cypress Springs 6A--185 lbs.
UIL Boys Wrestling State Champions
Calo Aron--College Park 6A--126 lbs.
Jackson Herman--Cinco Ranch 6A--132 lbs.
Garrett McChesney--Katy Jordan 6A--138 bs.
Kolton Oborny--College Park 6A--157 lbs.
Isaac Sheeran--Klein 6A--190 lbs. **(Back-to-back State Champion)
Za'Qwaun Nunn--Clear Springs 6A--285 lbs.
UIL Boys Wrestling State Runner-Ups
Cameron Lewis--Terry 5A--285 lbs.
Santiago Ramirez--Houston Westside 6A--113 lbs.
Matteo Nikolov--Tompkins 6A--165 lbs.
Rocco Grazier--Bellaire 6A--175 lbs.