Emma Heaton, Randall Wrestling, Senior
On the mat: Heaton has been one of the most consistent female wrestlers in the area over the last two years, and moving up a weight class this year hasn’t changed that one bit. After winning the Class 5A state title at 165 pounds last year, Heaton moved up to the 185 class this year and maintained her championship ways. In last week’s District 3-5A meet in her home gym, Heaton improved to 23-0 with two decisive wins. She pinned Lubbock Monterey’s Emerlyn Samora in 1:10 to reach the championship match, where she then defeated Lubbock-Cooper’s Kayla McLearen via technical fall, 17-2 late in the third period. Heaton figures to be a favorite at this weekend’s Region I-5A meet in Lubbock to make a return trip to the state tournament. She has lost only one match in the last two seasons.
Coach Randy Scott: “She had a really good year last year. She’s developed in her wrestling quite a bit over the last four years. She’s certainly capable of going out and beating everyone she’s wrestling. It doesn’t really shock me because she’s got a lot of experience now. She’s handled going up in weight class better than I thought. She’s really wrestled well at that weight. It’s like any sporting event, you have to go out and perform when it’s time to perform. You can’t let the moment get too big. I’ve noticed a difference this year.”
Heaton: “I think I’m doing pretty good. I should have gotten a lot more mat time but I was injured (with an MCL tear last summer). I got a little bit of a late start. I definitely didn’t plan on (moving up a weight) but I’m doing pretty well anyway. I’m really just getting stronger and knowing how to wrestle this weight class. Definitely the girls feel a lot stronger, but I know their moves and what they do because I’ve had multiple wrestling partners. Winning my junior year was awesome and if I got anything less this year it would be really sad.”
About Heaton
Favorite band or musician: Drake
Favorite social media platform: Snapchat
Favorite athlete: Spencer Lee
Bet you didn’t know: Has reached silver rewards status on Crumble Cookies.
Parents: Justin Heaton and Alaina Bonea.