McNeil senior Audrey Onyeonwu finishes quick rise with silver medal
Photo by Zach Smith
CYPRESS — It took less than two years for Audrey Onyeonwu to get addicted to wrestling.
The McNeil senior took up the suggestion of a friend to come by practice before her junior year started, and in her first two seasons of high school wrestling, she has two state appearances and a silver medal in the 152-pound class at this year’s UIL Wrestling Championships.
“The first year, I didn’t know how the sport worked,” Onyeonwu said. “I was getting warnings and cautions all the time. I think I took it more seriously after joining a club in the summer and being on (the McNeil High School) team. It helped me a lot.”
Onyeonwu finished the season 31-1 overall.
“She works really hard, and it shows on the match,” first-year McNeil head coach Darren Allen said. “All around, she’s great. She’s great in the classroom and has a great personality. She’s a great person to have on the team.”
Onyeonwu won both of her matches on Friday via pinball, the first over Clear Falls sophomore Caitlyn Tresler in 1:47 and the second against Jatoia Coats from Euless Trinity in 1:09. She won via pinball in the semifinals before losing in the championship on Saturday.
Onyeonwu makes it look much easier than it is.
“I learned that mindset is everything, and I like pushing myself,” she said. “I don’t have to be freaked out by how much more experienced other wrestlers are. I give my all, and as long as I’m proud, that’s all that matters to me.”
Pins have become the norm for Onyeonwu this season. Allen said all but about three of her 31 wins have been by pin or technical fall.
“She caught on super fast,” Allen said. “There have been a couple of times where I’ve been watching the person she’s going to wrestle next, and I teach her the move. Then she’s doing it in the next match.”
After both matches on Friday and after finally receiving her silver medal on Saturday, Onyeonwu had trouble containing just how excited she was.
“Having a really supportive team has helped me get better,” Onyeonwu said. “I’m just really happy.”
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Originally published February 19, 2023, in the Hill Country News