Ray Earns Central’s First Girls Wrestling Sectional Crown, Named Applebee’s of Farmington Athlete of the Week

(Park Hills) The Sectional Round of the wrestling postseason is in the books for the girls and a member of the Central Lady Rebels team found herself atop one of the podiums.

Sophomore Alayna Ray took home the sectional crown in the 235-pound weight class and was named our Applebee’s of Farmington Athlete of the Week.

Central wrestling head coach Scott Aholt says Ray has been at her best over the past few weeks.

At the girls sectional tournament this past weekend, Ray won her first two matches by fall at 1:06 and 5:40 respectively before taking the championship against Mari Lopez from Eureka by a 10-6 decision.

She now carries an 18-3 record on the season and also took first place at the DeSoto Tournament and the Central Tournament earlier this year.

With girls wrestling being brand new in the Show-Me State, many of the athletes have the opportunity to earn ‘firsts’ in their school’s history.

Such was the case for Ray, who became the first girls wrestler at Central to earn a district and sectional championship.

Aholt says that accomplishment is not lost on her.

As the Applebee’s of Farmington Athlete of the Week, Ray will receive a T-shirt, a certificate, and a coupon good for one free entree at Applebee’s in Farmington.

Full Interview with Scott Aholt: