By Pat Dailey (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
One of the loudest ovations from the crowd at Mizzou Area came in response to Abigail Fuglsang’s pin of Jackson’s Kayleigh Milam in :48 in the 110 final.
Fans statewide were happy for the Camdenton senior, after seeing the charismatic and outwardly emotional Fuglsang experience as much heartbreak over the previous three seasons as anyone. She was a runner-up as a freshman and sophomore and finished third last year.
Fuglsang’s celebration following her pin further endeared her to fans. In a span of seconds, she went from screaming, ‘Finally,’ to nearly being in tears.
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It was the fulfilling finish she sought for so long.
“It took a lot of work. I’ve put in the work for six hours a day the past two or three years. Finally, everything came together,” said Fuglsang, who finishes with a career record of 174-4.
Looking back, Fuglsang feels her losses at state strengthened her. She admittedly didn’t take losses well when she was younger and nearly didn’t bring home her third-place medal a year ago.
“I was about to toss it,” she said. “I know it’s pretty cliche, but losing is a learning experience. Whenever I lost when I was younger, I took it to heart and would get super mad or cry and run around and throw things. If you take it all in, yes it’s a loss. but there’s more to do. You still have more time and opportunities. If you want to succeed, you will take those opportunities and not pout. All my medals show the hard work I put in.”
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Fuglsang had no trouble overwhelming Milam, but didn’t underestimate her.
“I knew her upper body was strong. She’s a little bit stronger than me I would say,” Fuglsang said. “But mentally, I’m stronger. I picked her up, she couldn’t do anything and I threw her on her back.’’
Fuglsang (46-0) joins a group of 28 girls who have put together 48 unbeaten seasons in state history.
CLASS 2 GIRLS MEDALISTS
1st – 110 – Abigail Fuglsang, Camdenton (46-0)
1st – 115 – Jessa Joiner, Lebanon (44-1)
1st – 125 – Addison Harkins, Nixa (42-2)
1st – 155 – Ellie Higginbotham, Willard (41-2)
2nd – 170 – Calyese Dupree, Nixa (27-1)
2nd – 115 – Alyssa Salemie, Branson (40-4)
2nd – 130 – Kaylee James, Carthage (39-2)
3rd – 235 – Sophiea Quinn, Lebanon (43-4)
3rd – 170 – Emily Brixey, Willard (31-8)
3rd – 190 – Yisel Perez, Waynesville (41-5)
3rd – 130 – Adia Hull, Willard (41-10)
4th – 190 – Jessie Nelson, Nixa (32-13)
4th – 100 – Hanna Egley, Nixa (32-10)
4th – 105 – Ashton Mayes, Nixa (34-9)
4th – 140 – Irish Lee, Carthage (31-12)
4th – 145 – Kamryn Bourbon, Nixa (40-5)
5th – 120 – Dakota Nix, Waynesville (35-7)
6th – 135 – Addison Brown, Waynesville (34-11)
6th – 140 – Ava Frye, Nixa (26-7)
6th – 190 – Harmony Moore, Willard (29-14)
