Triton Central's Gray feels better prepared for second IHSAA Girls Wrestling State Finals appearance

FAIRLAND – Zoie Gray signed up for wrestling to improve her conditioning for her burgeoning softball career. Little did she know she would become one of the top wrestlers in the state.

Gray is one of 16 unbeaten girls that will compete in 14 eight classes Friday at the IHSAA Girls Wrestling State Finals at Corteva Coliseum at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.

The Triton Central junior is 29-0 and ranked No. 3 in the state in the 190-pound weight class. She will face Central Noble’s Ellie Clevenger (21-8) in her opening round match Friday.

In 2025, Gray went from novice to state finalist in a heartbeat. She was leading in her state finals debut match with Rensselaer Central’s Stacie Crabtree when she was pinned in the second period.

Crabtree also makes the return trip to Indianapolis for the state finals and could stand in Gray’s way of reaching the championship match.

Softball was all Gray (photo) knew until she decided to challenge herself with wrestling.

“It was definitely hard to understand at first, but I feel like I’ve picked up on it pretty quickly,” said Gray following practice Wednesday night. “I am also a visual learner, and I feel what I learn, so I like it to be done to me for me to understand how it works. That way I can understand what to feel and what to look for. It was definitely confusing at first.”

Gray quickly learned her conditioning level was not what it needed to be to truly compete.

“You think you are in good shape for any other sport and then you come into wrestling and you feel like the most unfit person ever,” said Gray. “It is so physically demanding and grueling, but I wouldn’t want it any other way. From sectionals last year to now where I am, I feel like I am so much better, so much quicker and my technique is impeccable compared to last year.”

Gray finished third in her first sectional tournament in 2025. She was second at the regional to earn a berth in the inaugural IHSAA State Finals.

“It was really, really long. I felt like I was waiting for days after (the parade of wrestlers),” said Gray on her first state finals experience. “I warmed up before my match. I went in with a good mindset. I ended up getting caught on the bottom.

“Now, (Crabtree) is in the state finals again and I will probably see her in round three if I make it. Now I am hungry for that win.”

With a win Friday in her first match, Gray, a sectional and regional champion (photo) this season, will face either Claira Gramlin (23-4) of Lebanon, ranked No. 5, or Bloomington South’s Samiya Love (27-10) in the quarterfinal round.

Crabtree (26-1), ranked No. 6, opens her state finals bracket against No. 11 Aneesa Thompson (28-9) of Perry Meridian. A win there would set up a likely quarterfinal round match with No. 2 Tristalyn Powers (23-2) of Terre Haute South.

There are six state-ranked wrestlers in the top half of the bracket at 190 pounds, including No. 1 ranked Erin Cauble (27-0) of Harrison (West Lafayette). The senior was the state runner-up at 235 pounds in 2025.

“I definitely feel I have way more confidence that I had last year,” said Gray. “We’ve looked at my bracket, and we’ve looked at my seeding. We think I really have a chance this year going, at least, into the top four.”

Friday’s schedule begins with the Parade of Champions at 9:30 a.m. The first round begins at 10 a.m. with the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds to immediately follow.

There is an intermission scheduled for approximately 3:30 p.m.

The consolation round starts at 4:15 p.m.

State championship matches begin at 7 p.m.

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