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03/26/2024 11:13 AMWhile only a young freshman, Peyton Dixon has the attitude of a savvy veteran when it comes to grappling with the sport of wrestling. She takes the workhorse mentality and truly finds the best satisfaction via exhausting every last ounce of energy and leaving it all on the canvas.
The Haddam-Killingworth freshman did softball and soccer when she was younger before trying out basketball during her junior high years. Realizing the hardwood was not for her, she had her athletic calendar freed up in the winter months.
Already knowing the Cougars’ wrestling coaches through the classroom, Peyton decided to push herself onto the mat this season. She had quite the rookie year run, as she took runner-up at the Griswold girls’ tournament prior to coming in third for the 145-pound competition at the Queen of the Mat Tournament. She then capped it all off by coming in fifth overall for the girls’ state tournament, finishing 15-5 overall for the year.
“I admired the sport itself and what it really takes to be successful in it. It takes a lot of discipline and commitment. It takes a lot out of you, but there is no better feeling than feeling accomplished after you have given it your all and win,” says Peyton. “When it started this year, I did not know there were tournaments just for women. So, in my first tournament in Griswold, I wrestled at 138 and it was nice to be on the podium at second. We had to move our lineup around for the Queen of the Mat Tournament, and to finish third after never wrestling at 145 was a huge accomplishment. And then I had my choice between wrestling 138 and 145 for states, and I did it at 145.”
Of course just starting out, Peyton experienced a great emotion lift when it came to putting herself on a pedestal with those bracket showings. She explains it certainly flowed and manifested itself into all elements of her life.
“Earning those placements this year were huge confidence boosters. It is a good feeling knowing I can get on that pedestal,” Peyton says. “Off the mat, I also now feel very confident knowing the strength and competitive nature I am capable of. It has helped make me stronger physically and mentally.”
When it comes to those moments on the other side of the coin, Peyton persists with perspective. She never harnesses the negative thoughts, emotions, or energy of hurdles; she overcomes them with brimming positivity.
“A loss is no doubt a setback, but I look at it through a different view,” says Peyton. “I have learned to see losses as a chance to improve and then later work on the things I need to improve in practice. It is great to then work on them and see them pay off in later matches. I have learned a great deal about coping through losses.”
Peyton had to wait quite a bit through the day for her inaugural bout at states. Yet she did use the extra time to siphon off any added anxiety or anticipation that may have creeped into her mind. While she had to fight her way through the second-chance draw, she made the most of it all and still strived to earn the best finish she could.
“I was nervous going in. I was there for about seven hours before I actually had my first match, so my nerves were raised a little bit. I won my first match 9-0,” says Peyton. “Then going into the second day, I had the semifinal round match against someone who pinned me the last time we fought, and the match at states did not go my way. I saw I could still finish fifth in the consolation bracket. I did not qualify for New Englands like I wanted to, but I still got on that podium. But now, I will go into the offseason and put in the work to get there next year.”
Speaking more to her future objectives, Peyton is staying laser focused this offseason by not taking any down time towards her craft. While looking to punch a ticket to regionals around this time next year, she looks to complete new conquests over her adversaries.
“This offseason, I will be putting in the work, and I will hopefully keep placing and winning tournaments,” Peyton says. “I look to continue wrestling at 145 and get wins over the wrestlers I lost to this year. And then I of course want to qualify for New Englands next year.”
H-K wrestling Head Coach Josh Cofield sees Peyton as a young student of the game already. He is eagerly anticipating what she will accomplish for her future forays on the mat.
“Peyton is a hard worker; she never misses practice and is always eager to learn new things,” says Cofield. “She is a great teammate and a great drilling partner. She is always willing to help her teammates get better. I can't wait to see what the next few years will bring for the young lady and H-K family.”
Reflecting on her first campaign, Peyton has procured a grander sense of fulfillment through dedication while understanding the concept of improvement in a positive and constructive manner.
“This experience has taught me a lot about the sport and how to win. I have also learned a lot about the benefits of discipline,” says Peyton. “Having the team with me and that family of support has been super helpful. I have also learned how to reflect on things I am not successful at and how to improve at them.”