Merino High School's Coen Schmidt secured the Class 2A 138-pound wrestling title at Ball Arena, capping off an undefeated 50-0 season. The senior wrestler achieved this feat with a narrow 4-3 decision against Highland's Tyler Varra in the final match.
Schmidt attributed his success to his faith and the guidance of his coaches. Prior to the title match, he received a Bible verse, Zephaniah 3:17, from his mother, which he said instilled confidence and helped him remain composed during challenging moments.
After falling short in previous state tournaments, Schmidt dedicated himself to improving every aspect of his performance, including diet, technique, conditioning, and mindset. With unwavering determination, he embraced the hard work and trusted the process, ultimately achieving his goal of winning the state championship.