If anyone thought Ste. Genevieve freshman Lexi Wolk would need time to adjust to high school wrestling, that narrative didn’t last long.
From the opening whistle of her first varsity match, Wolk has wrestled like she belongs at the top, and that’s exactly where she sits. The No. 1 ranked 100-pounder in Class 1 has stormed through her freshman campaign with a blistering 39-2 record, remaining undefeated in duals, and stacking signature wins over some of Missouri’s most established names.
This isn’t a feel-good freshman story, this is a takeover.
Wolk announced her arrival in emphatic fashion at the Lady Mustang Christmas Clash. In the finals, she pinned Missouri’s No. 2 ranked wrestler, Macie Kempker, the tournament’s top seed, sending a shockwave through the 100-pound bracket. Earlier that same day, she dismantled Rolla senior Kiara Sederburg, a multiple-time state qualifier ranked No. 4 in Class 2, with a dominant 19-2 tech fall.
That wasn’t a freshman surviving the moment, that was a freshman controlling it.
“Coming into high school, I set goals such as giving God all the glory in every circumstance, putting my best into every practice, and being a good and supportive teammate,” Wolk said.
Mission accomplished.
Then came the proving ground: the prestigious Wonder Woman Tournament in Columbia, one of the most brutal brackets in the Midwest. It’s where contenders get exposed, and where elite wrestlers separate themselves.
Wolk battled her way deep into the field before colliding with Kentucky’s top-ranked Naiya Delos Santos (who would eventually reach the finals). The 2 battled for 3 periods with Delos Santos coming away with a narrow 11-6 Dec. On the backside, Wolk met returning state finalist Milayna Drummond of DeSoto in a district rivalry clash that came down to the wire. A razor-thin 5–3 decision went Drummond’s way, one of only two blemishes on Wolk’s entire season.
But if you think that slowed her momentum, think again.
Wolk responded the only way she knows how, with dominance. She powered back to the podium, closing her tournament with a commanding 16–1 technical fall over Illinois standout Medelyn Murphy.
Adversity didn’t rattle her. It refined her.
“To me, the age or experience of my opponents doesn’t affect my confidence very much,” Wolk said. “I keep the same mindset every time I step out onto the mat.”
And that mindset is dangerous.
After Wonder Woman, Wolk slammed the door on the regular season, finishing undefeated in dual competition and continuing to collect staple wins over Missouri’s elite at 100 pounds.
Her confidence isn’t accidental. It’s built.
Long before high school lights, Wolk was grinding in youth tournaments, often wrestling boys. She is a five-time youth state finalist, two-time state champion, four-time AAU state champion, and went an eye-opening 14-0 at 14U National Duals last year in both freestyle and Greco.
That kind of résumé doesn’t just prepare you for high school wrestling, it prepares you to dominate it.
She credits longtime teammate Keely Fallert for sharpening her edge.
“Me and my teammate Keely started wrestling a long time ago when we faced mostly boys, so we have a lot of experience as well,” Wolk said.
There’s no panic in her approach. No intimidation. Just belief.
“My most proud moment this season was when my team won our first tournament title,” Wolk said. “My team was so excited to receive the trophy and celebrate with each other.”
Even with the spotlight squarely on her, Wolk remains anchored in team culture, a trait that elevates championship programs.
Now, the stage shifts to Class 1 District 1, and the storyline practically writes itself. A potential rematch with Drummond looms. Their last battle was decided in the final seconds. This time, the stakes are higher. The tension thicker.
So how does a freshman handle that kind of pressure?
“I handle the pressure by reminding myself that it doesn’t matter the age of my opponent, but I’m going to go out and wrestle the same way I do every match,” she said. “Before all my matches, I give all the glory to God because without Him, I would not be able to wrestle at all.” – Faith fuels her. Preparation steadies her. Confidence drives her.
When asked what she would say to a younger girl nervous about trying wrestling, Wolk’s answer cut through the intensity with simplicity:
“Simply trying it will be a great experience. When you are younger, having fun is the most important thing.”
And representing girls wrestling at Ste. Genevieve?
“I feel proud representing girls wrestling at my school. Girls wrestling has grown so much and I enjoy the idea of my team and I contributing to that growth.”
At 100 pounds, Lexi Wolk may be one of the smallest wrestlers in the lineup, but make no mistake; she’s one of the biggest stories in Missouri girls wrestling this season.
