By Jeremy McDonald

jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com

DALLAS, Ore.–  Polly Oliff has been improving steadily since her first-year back in the fifth-grade.  

Going from winless her first year to third-place last year at 100 pounds, the Dallas sophomore is hoping that she’ll continue to improve with Districts and State on the horizon for herself and her teammates.  Pointing towards her eighth-grade year as the moment where she turned the corner as a wrestler.

“Eighth-grade was when I really got good and I started winning a lot.  That helped me build confidence as well going into freshman year,” Oliff said.  “This sport.  It means everything, I love my teammates.  They help me stay calm, they help me to know that I believe in myself and they encourage me every step of the way.  They’re like family.”

Oliff worked her way through the second-annual Lady Dragons Invitational Saturday.  Picking up two quick pins before picking up three shut-out decisions along the way in 7-0, 6-0 and 4-0 respectively to win the 105-pound title over McKay’s Angelina Panigua.  Using the mindset that she can out-work her opposition.

“I just know my opponent is just as tired as I am and that I have better conditioning than all my opponents, so I just gotta keep going.  I can tire them out,” Oliff described  “I just got to work harder in practice.  (Friday) I lost a match and I know what I need to improve on now, I got to keep my head up and know that we learn more from our losses than your wins.  They can teach you more lessons and help you have something to work for.”

Ivy McIntosh (115) finished second and Ah Pymm McDaniel (100) finished third as the Dragons finished third as a team with 123 total points.

Jenna Rogers and Ella Byington each went seventh-eighth in the 145 pound bracket.

Photos By Jeremy McDonald