City High wrestler Shaona Emmanuel gaining confidence and wins

CEDAR RAPIDS — A little over a year ago, Iowa City High’s Shaona Emmanuel had her season end in heartbreak, narrowly missing out on the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union state wrestling tournament.

Emmanuel finished sixth at 155 pounds in the Region 3 qualifying meet.

That’s something she hasn’t stopped thinking about since Jan. 26, 2024.

“Last year, I had a moment to make it to state,” Emmanuel said. “When I didn’t, I was very disappointed and bummed out. I started to doubt myself.”

City High Coach Ryan Ahlers knows last season’s ending still is etched in Emmanuel’s mind, but she’s doing something about it.

“I think she was crushed by not making it to state last year when she was getting to a point of earning that spot,” Ahlers said. “Now, this year, she wants to wrestle better girls and isn’t afraid to do it.

“She’s embraced that and that is how you get better in the sport.”

Emmanuel is coasting toward her goal of punching her ticket to state this season. She is ranked No. 4 at 155 pounds in Class 2A.

She knows she wouldn’t be where she is today without staying in shape by participating in other sports, as well as continuously learning more about wrestling.

“I did offseason wrestling during track season when I was throwing,” Emmanuel said. “I also did some swimming and running.”

All her offseason efforts have her positioned as one of the Little Hawks’ leaders.

She led City High last week in its dual against Cedar Rapids Jefferson, winning by a 17-2 technical fall over Alijah Williams.

“I thought I did OK,” Emmanuel said. “I tried to really set up my shots. Because, when I take a shot, I sometimes do something I’m not supposed to. So, I wanted to be more careful with the shots I was taking.”

Emmanuel is the first to admit she takes wrestling personal, especially the losses and not-so-great performances.

“It’s been a roller coaster,” Emmanuel said. “Sometimes, I expect too much of myself and beat myself up about it. I’ve been trying to get better at working on the things I need to improve on.”

Ahlers knows Emmanuel has bought into the sport and always is looking to get better.

It’s become part of her leadership role for the Little Hawks.

“Shaona’s quietness shines through in how she works,” Ahlers said. “She sees every practice session as an opportunity to get better. She’s so powerful when she’s confident in what she is doing.”

Emmanuel is confident in one of her goals — getting to Xtream Arena in February.

“I want to qualify for state,” Emmanuel said. “I just have to keep working hard and practicing my shots.”

One group of people Emmanuel is excited to continue wrestling with is her Little Hawk teammates. She knows it’s a special group that has been eager to learn and wrestle.

“I’m really proud of how far our team has come,” Emmanuel said. “Most of us started off as first-year wrestlers and have stuck with it. We are all very supportive of each other and cheer each other on. We are a really close team.”