Cedar Rapids Kennedy freshman Isabelle Gasper still focused on improving after dominant dual debut

CEDAR RAPIDS — Isabelle Gasper may be a freshman at Cedar Rapids Kennedy, but she’s no new kid on the block when it comes to wrestling.

Gasper started in the sport in seventh grade, following in the footsteps of her older brother, Christian, who’s currently a senior on the Cougars’ boys’ wrestling team.

After watching him wrestle, Isabelle knew she wanted to get out on the mat.

“I thought it was fun with how he threw people around,” Gasper said.

On Tuesday night, Gasper had her high school wrestling dual debut and did so in a dominant fashion. She locked up a cradle on Iowa City West’s Grace Wang and got the fall in 1:53.

“I got my shot and put her in a cradle,” Gasper said. “I had to hold on for a few extra seconds, because her shoulders weren’t on the mat. It was a great win.”

Even with the 54-30 win on Tuesday night, Kennedy Coach Craig Mallicoat believes Gasper still has some freshmen characteristics.

However, he saw some of those disappear in her commanding victory.

“She’s not always real confident,” Mallicoat said. “Tonight, you could see some of that going away. She got out there right away and knew that she wanted to attack.”

One of the special aspects of Kennedy’s opening dual of the season was the team’s support of one another. No matter who was wrestling or what the score was, you heard the Cougars roar.

“Our team has great support,” Mallicoat said. “Our girls support each other all the time, because that’s all they know. It’s the atmosphere you want.

“I see this support every day.”

Gasper agrees and has a lot of affection for her team.

“My whole team is really supportive,” Gasper said. “When I come off the mat, all of my teammates give me high-fives. When a teammate is wrestling, I try and give them that same support, and I like being loud and screaming for my teammates.

“Our team is just so great.”

In a time when girls’ wrestling is on the rise in Iowa, Gasper is grateful for the opportunity to suit up in the green and yellow for the Cougars.

It’s an opportunity she’s not taking for granted.

“It’s a big honor,” Gasper said. “Doing girls’ wrestling at Kennedy is just awesome, and it’s a good opportunity to be here with the team.”

Her coach is in her corner and sees great potential for her first high school wrestling season.

“I think she’s going to surprise people by the end of the season,” Mallicoat said. “She’s got a good work ethic and is constantly learning, even in the middle of match.”

With much of the season left to wrestle, Gasper is focused on continuing to improve.

“My goal for the season is to better myself,” Gasper said. “Not every match is going to be perfect, so I want to figure out my flaws in every match. I can’t wait to wrestle again.”