By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

Lauren Carver’s career has featured a series of firsts for female wrestling at Southeast.

She is the program’s first pre-regional champion.

The first regional champion.

And first state qualifier.

Carver, a senior, is actually now a two-time state qualifier and even still, she has been flying under the radar, according to Pirates head coach Shane Kuberry, because of the schedule she faced throughout the season.

“Lauren was not state ranked going to regionals and beat some girls that were highly ranked,” Kuberry said. “We love the spot she is in going to states. She has set some goals for herself that she is going to fight for, and we are looking forward to seeing it.”

Carver is not only finally healthy, but she also used her experiences from last year’s matches at the state championships to help shape her preparation for this season.

“Lauren faced quite a bit of adversity this year,” Kuberry said. “She struggled with injuries a few different times, but she has remained very focused through all of it and bounced back like a champion. She has really been a trailblazer for girls wrestling at Southeast.”

A year ago, Carver’s state appearance was slowed by conditioning.

“It was probably the biggest contributing factor to her not placing,” Kuberry said. “She took a different approach this year and worked much harder to make sure she was ready to go deep in matches if needed.”

Carver’s endurance was notable when she won the 155-pound regional championship over Columbia’s Cailyn Demagall, with a 13-11 decision in overtime in the Mentor Regional.

The win improved Carver’s season record to 9-1.

To advance to the regional final, Carver pinned all three of her opponents in the first round (in 26 seconds), quarterfinal and semifinal.

Carver has made an impact on Kuberry, who describes her as “one of the toughest wrestlers I have ever coached.”

“Lauren’s personality is 100 percent what makes her so fun to coach,” Kuberry said. “You will never find a more honest person and you never know what she is going to say or when she is going to say it. She is laid back and carefree until that headgear gets snapped, then she is all business.”

Carver will open her state meet on Friday with a first-round matchup against Loveland senior Julia Bigl. Bigl enters with a 24-11 record after qualifying out of the Harrison Regional.