Et cetera : Sanders becomes first Iowa girl to reach 200 career wins

By Collin Davies

Chloe Sanders has made history as the first Iowa high school girls wrestler to reach 200 career wins, achieving the milestone during her senior season at Vinton-Shellsburg.

The achievement comes in the fourth year of Iowa high school girls wrestling having a sanctioned tournament, creating numerous career firsts and records across the state.

“It’s just crazy and hard for me to fathom that I’m the first. It means a lot. It’s cool that I kind of get to pave that way for other girls,” Sanders said.

Team prepared for historic moment

Vinton-Shellsburg was ready for the match that would reach the magic number. Sanders embraced her father, who serves as an assistant coach, after the victory. The team had a poster prepared for the occasion.

“We don’t ever anticipate her not winning. We were pretty confident going into it, that it was going to be it,” said head coach Brandt Corcoran.

To reach 200 wins, Sanders has wrestled extensively, averaging 57 matches per season. Her ability to handle that workload contributed to her being named team captain as a freshman.

“I’m so used to it now, that it doesn’t feel like anything special. But my freshman year, it just felt like we were grinding all year, but I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Sanders said.

“Outside of her just being good at wrestling, it’s the work ethic she put in year round at that point. She was a verbal leader and coming in from her 8th grade season practicing with the high school girls team and just being already one of the hardest workers when she was in 8th grade with our high school team,” Corcoran said.

Sanders has one goal remaining: a state title. After finishing runner-up as a freshman to Iowa’s Lilly Luft, she continues pursuing the championship.

“This has always been one of my main goals, to be a state champ of course. I think I’m ready and have all the potential. I’m ready to go get that,” Sanders said.

Regardless of how her season ends, Sanders will always be the first to reach 200 wins in Iowa girls wrestling history.