After a serious injury sidelined her for months, Del Val sophomore Annabelle Toye returned to the sport with a whole new perspective.

Toye began her wrestling career at the end of her eighth-grade year with the Terrier Wrestling Club. She picked up the fundamentals of the sport quickly, despite her late start. 

“I was just looking to try something new, and it wasn’t like any sport I had tried before,” Toye said.

During the beginning of her freshman year, Toye continued to attend practices with the Terrier Wrestling Club. She gained more technique learning from her coaches, but she was unable to be as consistent as she wanted to be due to other sports commitments. 

When her freshman season began in the fall, Toye enjoyed the competitiveness and intense nature of the high school practices.

“In-season practice was definitely more structured and challenging,” Toye said. “I had to keep up with the fast pace of the guys.”

Despite the new environment, Toye stayed focused and made a mark during her freshman year.

She competed in 28 matches, most notably placing third in the Skyland Conference Tournament in the 114-pound weight class. Toye received the honor of “Athlete of the Month” in March for her outstanding freshman season. 

Unfortunately, Toye sustained a serious injury during the spring while playing softball; she shattered her nose and was diagnosed with a concussion. 

This uprooted everything in her life, and her wrestling career was on hold. She was unable to train over the summer going into her sophomore season due to her injuries.

Toye returned to off-season training in August with a new face mask and a bundle of nerves. Without being able to train for three months after sustaining a major injury, she felt far behind the other girls.

“I was really discouraged because everyone on my team is so strong and it was hard for me to compete with them,” Toye said. “I forgot my technique, and I was so weak.”

For the three months of off-season training leading up to her sophomore season, Toye focused on the small wins. 

“I just focused on getting better and better at every practice and it worked out,” Toye said.

Long hours spent practicing, running and lifting in the off-season brought back what she had lost over the summer: her physical strength and confidence. At her first tournament of the season, Toye placed fourth in her weight class and is only looking to improve as the season continues. 

“I want to be better, the best I can be right now,” Toye said. “I know what to expect now. I know what I want to achieve this year.”