At the age of 15, Micayla Yates placed third at state in the 125 pound weight class, as a freshman. It was a powerful moment in hers and many others’ lives. February 17 and 18 was state, and she wrestled a third day at open state, winning four out of the five matches. Each match was tough, but she persevered.

“It was so loud, it was crazy,” said Yates. “I could barely even hear myself most of the time.”

Micayla started wrestling in the third grade to carry on what her dad once started.

“When I was little my dad was a coach,” Yates said. “And he died, so I wanted to try it.”

She has come so far, she has shown throughout her wrestling career how far hard work can take you.

“My first year I lost all of my matches,” said Yates. “I won one match.”

With each practice and season she was  coming back and growing as a wrestler. Six years later, she is a state placer and an inspiration to everyone around her. She was titled Skagit Valley Herald’s Wrestler of the Year.

Each day she spent trying to get better and beat the people that she had lost to before. She says the most challenging part of state was coming back after losing her second match. However, she came back with a new mindset and tried her best and continued to win the rest of her matches. Yates has had many goals and lots that she has accomplished,  her next goal being to place 1st at state. Her advice she would give to other wrestlers is:

“Don’t really get put down by your losses and stuff and just focus on your next match.”

Micayla plans to wrestle outside of high school for college, and has Recruiters already looking at her. She doesn’t know what that is going to look like, but she wants to wrestle for as long as she can. Yates and her peers are excited to see what is next to come for her and her wrestling career.