Owasso High School senior Mayce Daniels is a member of the varsity wrestling team, but she started wrestling when she was in the seventh grade.
Daniels said being a member of the Lady Rams team is special because she loves being around her teammates and representing OHS on the mat.
“I have enjoyed growing with this team and becoming a leader to an amazing group of girls. Seeing them all grow as individuals and athletes has also been a rewarding experience for me,” Daniels said. “Owasso has shaped me not only as an athlete but also as a person. Owasso has created an incredible support system for every single athlete. All the athletic staff at Owasso are beyond amazing and see the best in every athlete, even on their worst days.”
Like her teammates, Daniels continues to work on her skill set and improve with every match.
“My best position in wrestling is on top. This year, I’ve been making an effort to boost my confidence and mental attitude on the mat. As well as working on my feet,” said Daniels.
Other members of the team have made an impression on Daniels this year including a newcomer who has embraced the varsity atmosphere.
“I have been impressed with a first-year girl on our team this year, Katie Drummond. She attends every extra practice and is one of the most determined people I have ever met. She is mentally and physically tough and is going to go far in her wrestling career,” Daniels said. “I think the funniest person on the team has to be Peyton Maggered. Besides being an absolute beast on the mat and undefeated this season, she is also incredibly funny. The most serious person on our team, however, is Zion. She keeps all of us in line and makes sure we all know when and where to be somewhere.”
When it’s time to perform, Daniels tunes in to the task at hand and steps onto the mat ready to go to work.
“I mentally prepare myself for a match by shutting everything out and focusing only on the few minutes I’ll spend on the mat. When I wrestle, I treat it like it’s all or nothing. You aren’t wrestling for someone else’s title—it doesn’t matter who they are or what they’ve accomplished, and I constantly remind myself of that,” said Daniels.
Her passion for the sport and her team is obvious.
“I love my team’s culture and how much we are there for each other. When someone can only give 20%, the rest of the team is there to give 80%. Many of us have become friends both on and off the mat, and I wouldn’t want to continue growing this team with anyone else,” said Daniels.
As for life after high school, Daniels would like to pursue a degree in criminal justice.
“My goal for life after high school is to earn a college degree in criminal justice and become a homicide detective. More than that, I want to become a mom and have a big family,” said Daniels.
On or off the mat, Daniels said she can look to her mother as a source of inspiration.
“My mom is my biggest inspiration. She has been by my side since before I can remember. She will be on the side of the mat screaming, even though she has no idea what’s going on. She’s there when I lose and when I win. I couldn’t ask for a better number one fan,” said Daniels.
