Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
FRANKFORT — Put simply, there’s never been another wrestler quite like Kayla Grooms in Adena’s — or Ross County’s — history.
After quickly making a name for herself on the mats, Grooms has forced her way into the record books.
But that almost never happened.
“I wrestled at a young age but quit after a couple years,” Grooms said. “Then, I went to my brother’s wrestling tournaments and started to miss it. So I started wrestling again my freshman year. Some challenges I’ve faced are having a busy schedule and some friends not agreeing with my choice of participating in the sport again, telling me I shouldn’t.”
She didn’t listen to those friends, and it’s one of the best decisions she’s ever made.
Since, she’s just the second athlete — and first female — to qualify for the OHSAA State Tournament.
In each of the past two seasons, she’s made the trek to Columbus after qualifying. It’s an event that’s truly like no other in high school sports, which could be why Grooms fits in so well.
“What I like most about the sport is the discipline and how much dedication you need,” Grooms said. “My coaches help keep me motivated to have success, I like making history and being a role model for the younger girls who are getting into the sport.”
CREDIT: Hailey Fox/SOSA
Her record speaks for itself.
In the past two seasons, Grooms is 50-12 and has made waves across the area. Her state qualification is just the tip of the iceberg. This season alone, she won multiple meets including the Vinton County, McClain, Alexander and Jackson Invitationals.
“I feel like my ability to stay calm during my matches and working hard at practice makes me a better wrestler,” Grooms said. “There’s been a couple of times where I’ve almost been pinned and I could’ve easily given up. But I didn’t. So I think never giving up has helped me have the success I’ve had.”
When she’s not on the mats, she’s working on her future.
She’s currently studying Health Science at Pickaway-Ross Career and Technology Center, where she’s laying the groundwork for — what she hopes to be — her future profession.
“Since a young age, I have wanted to be somewhere in the health field. I like helping people and this type of stuff fascinates me. I decided to go to Pickaway-Ross because it would give me a head start on my future career. It also helps me decide exactly what I want to do in this field.”
Her choice of Pickaway-Ross was an easy one. Not only would it make her better in whatever she decided to do in life, but it made it easier for her to get there.
“I would definitely encourage students to come to Pickaway-Ross,” Grooms said. “There are so many job opportunities for almost anything you would want to do.”
Next winter, as she continues to pursue her future career, she’ll try and become Adena’s first-ever three-time state qualifier. That distinction won’t, and never has, come easy.
But she has a plan in place.
“I plan to do some things over the summer to get me ready for my senior year. My goal for next season is to just do better than I do this year,” Grooms said.
SPONSORED BY PICKAWAY-ROSS CTC
