Aumua wins bracket, clinches No. 1 seed at district tournament

by Michael Smith

​     Sevreign Aumua has had quite the high school wrestling career thus far.
     The Grain Valley sophomore had a sparkling record of 55-2 in two seasons and took third place last season in s 151-pound weight class at the Missouri State High School Girls Wrestling Championships.
     Coming into Saturday's District 4 girls tournament, she was ranked No. 2 in the 149-pound weight class according to the MissouriWrestling.com poll. She was the favorite to win her division in this tournament.
     She proved why that was as she got pins in all four of her matches to take first place at Oak Park High School.
     “I worked more than I did last year,” Aumua said. “I improved on some things but as the years go on, I know I need to improve on some things. I feel pretty good about the season I have had.”
     She got a fall in 1:36 against Odessa’s Brianna Ford in the semifinals before pinning Cameron’s Justice Brewer in 2:48 to earn her right to stand atop the podium.
     “That was the first time I had wrestled her all season,” Aumua said of her match with Brewer. “I broke her wrestling down with my coaches. I felt pretty good about it. I got caught in some positions, but I hope not to get in those positions again and hopefully I will get better at that.”
     Last season, Aumua was the only girl on the Grain Valley team, meaning she had to train with the boys. This year, 105-pounder Ava Kusick joined the squad.
     “Ava is the best teammate,” Aumua said. “She always supports me, and she is always there to help. I am happy that I have her. We also have some more girls coming in next year. I am happy to have more girls on the team because before this it was just me and the guys.”
     Kusick went 0-2 and was eliminated from the district tournament.
     Aumua will compete at the Missouri State High School Girls Wrestling Championships which will begin Feb. 17 and she will be one of four No. 1 seeds.
     “I am working to place higher,” Aumua said. “I am hoping to place higher than last year, and I am working toward that.” 

GV sophomore Sevreign Aumua (center) took first place in the District 4 girls wrestling tournament. Photo credit: Michael Smith