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CGHS crowns four state winter sports champions
Photograph provided
The cold winter was anything but Center Grove‘s Wrestling and diving. Center Grove High School (CGHS) finished the 2022 winter sports season with four individual state champions, three sectional championships, one Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference (MIC) title, and three Johnson County titles.
For the wrestling team, it was the best season in school history.
“We had a very successful season,” said wrestling head coach Maurice Swain. “We were able to win the Johnson County Tournament, the MIC Championship for the first time in school history and won the section. We broke the MIC scoring record, sent 14 female wrestlers to Semi-state which is a school record as well as sending seven to the state and four were state place winners, two state champions IHSAA State and an Indiana High School Girls’ Wrestling State Champion. ”
Senior Anna Krejsa is the first CGHS wrestler to win the state. She topped the 126-pound weight class in Indiana and was ranked nationally. Anna was overwhelmed with emotion as she won the state title.
“I felt amazing and just had a huge sense of accomplishment,” Krejsa says. “I had been working there for so long, and it was definitely the highlight of my senior year. I worked very hard in the training hall. Center Grove High School allowed me to succeed by giving me opportunities I didn’t have‘t have before. The fact that my team supported me and that coaches who wanted to see me succeed gave me a lot. Academically, I knew hard work was expected and Life University (Krejsa is committed to struggling at Life University) will be no different. A big thank you to my family, coaches, teammates and Center Grove High School for being so supportive.
Senior CGHS wrestlers Hayden Watson and Drake Buchanan wrapped up their amazing high school careers with state titles. Watson won the 145-pound weight class and Buchanan captured the 182-pound weight class. Watson recalls his feelings once he won the state title.
“When my arm was lifted I was filled with emotion knowing that all the hard work I had‘I’ve invested in this sport has finally paid off,” says Watson. “Throughout my career, there have been many setbacks in the process, but all these losses have helped me to motivate myself and to put in extra work every day to achieve my goal. Without my teammates, I‘I don’t know how I would have done. They all pushed me every day in the training room. Center Grove High School has given me so many opportunities to grow as a person, athlete, and academically, to prepare for my future.
Watson has pledged to fight at the Citadel.
Buchanan reflects on the moment his arm was raised one last time, knowing he was finally a state champion.
“You’ve been dreaming and glorifying this moment all your life, but in reality, this moment is 10 times more amazing than you even imagined,” Buchanan says. “You just feel the fatigue and the aches in your muscles go away at the end of the match and you feel the euphoria take its place. It was an incredibly tough trip filled with grueling work, but I can say with 100% confidence that it was worth it and I would do it again in a heartbeat. Center Grove High School gave me a great environment to take on academic challenges and develop my athleticism. The wide range of weighted courses allowed me to really challenge myself and regularly take several AP courses in order to be ready for future university courses. When it comes to athletics, I wouldn’t be where I am now without the great coaching staff and highly skilled training partners.
Buchanan signed up to wrestle at the Air Force Academy.
Swain is very proud of his state champions for their accomplishments on the mat and in the classroom.
“Anna, Hayden and Drake are all very hard workers,” says Swain. “They pay attention to detail and are very serious about their training and goals. Each was a leader in the training room and set a great example for our young wrestlers on how to train to win state titles. We are very proud of them and proud that they represent our program and our community. All three take their studies very seriously. Drake finished winner of the IHSAA Mental Attitude and has a GPA of 4.59 and Anna has a GPA of 4.18.
CGHS sophomore Mia Prusiecki has taken the state by storm in just two diving seasons. After placing second in the state finals her first year, Prusiecki returned for her second season determined to win the top prize.
“This year I put more pressure on myself,” says Prusiecki. “It was a good thing to have because I do well under pressure. I love competition. I had more expectations for me because last year was my first year, and I didn’t‘I don’t know how it was going to be. I‘I’m proud of how this year has gone.
Prussiecki won the state title this season, becoming the first diver to do so from CGHS. His impressive resume includes two regional championships, two section championships, two MIC titles and two county championships.
“We are all very proud of Mia and her incredible work ethic,” says Jim Todd, CGHS Head Swimming and Diving Coach. “It’s great when someone so talented and works her ass to have the success she has achieved.
Prusiecki was recognized before a CGHS men’s basketball game and received a resounding standing ovation from Trojan fans.
“This‘It’s really good to have a supportive school,” says Prusiecki. “To have so many people supporting you.
Prussiecki‘success has not‘it doesn’t happen overnight. It comes from many hours of hard work.
“Diving is a tough sport and can be scary, even dangerous at times, especially when I’m jumping off a 10-meter platform,” says Prusiecki. “Most people don’t understand the training needed to make diving easy. No matter how hard it is, I like it and want to improve every day. Train hard, work hard and succeed.
The 2022 CGHS winter sports season will long be remembered for its many successes highlighted by its four state champions.
“We are able to proudly celebrate four individual state champions,” said CGHS Director Jeff Henderson. “These four young adults are shining examples of what it means to be a student-athlete. They balance their hard work on the mat and in the pool with excellent academic results as well. They are all a pleasure to be around and have really positive attitudes. I can‘I cannot say enough how proud we are of these four Trojan horses and their beautiful seasons.
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