High School Spotlight: Elkhart’s Lily Clark

On By Littum

ELKHART, Ind. (WSBT) — For the first time ever, state champions will be crowned in girls wrestling this weekend as an IHSAA-sanctioned sport.

Participating in Friday’s preliminary State Championship is Elkhart sophomore Lily Clark.

Clark is one of the top seeds in his weight class and now has a chance to make state history.

In Lily Clark’s second season of wrestling ever, she is headed for the state championship with an impressive 21-5 record.

Clark is 4 wins away from being crowned state champion in the 235 weight division.

“Yeah, it’s pretty cool, it’s a little nerve-wracking, but I think I’ll make it. I definitely have goals going to state, hopefully that’s the goal,” said Lily Clark, Elkhart sophomore girls wrestler.

Clark battles her teammates on the girls’ team.

But in practice, she takes every opportunity to improve as a wrestler.

“I like to wrestle the guys, it definitely helps push me. Wrestling coaches are also really helpful. They know what I need to work on so they can push me to do what I need to work on,” Clark said.

Clark’s coach says that in addition to being a great wrestler, she helps pave the way for other girls to get into wrestling.

“She’s very involved in trying to start this program, hanging flyers all over the school here, and being active in it from that point on,” said Dustin Waits, Elkhart Girl’s Wrestling Head Coach.

“I’m really passionate about wrestling, so to be able to get my name out there and show other girls that you know it’s ok, you can come to a male-dominated sport like it’s going to be ok and show them what you got, that is really, really fun,” Clark said.

And for Clark, the chance to be a state champion in the first season of IHSAA girls wrestling is surreal.

“It would be great, putting in, with all the work I’ve put in, you know, it would really pay off. Going to state in general is just a great opportunity and it shows how far I’ve come from being a freshman. and not even coming out of semi-state and coming in my sophomore year and being able to win sectionals, win regionals and win NIC, it’s just really rewarding for me,” Clark said.