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Lenny Jurado
El Paso Times
Sunday, April 23, 2006

All-City Wrestling Girls MVP Awbrey Lowe

Standing only 5-foot-4 and a slim 102 pounds, Hanks High School junior Awbrey Lowe can appear like a girl who doesn't dabble much in sports.

A brainiac as well, she carries a 98.97 grade average, so maybe she'll pursue a career as an engineer or lawyer one day.

Not even close.

"I want to wrestle for the Army and either fly an attack helicopter or make it into infantry or Special Forces," said Lowe, who already is working toward admittance into West Point. "I'd like to break the gender barrier in the military or, if not, then get as close as possible."

As it turns out, Lowe is a girl who seeks out challenges in everything she does, whether it's in wrestling, ROTC or cross country.

Never one afraid to sweat, Lowe particularly has a passion for wrestling. And she's not just any wrestler -- she's Texas' No. 1 girl at 102 pounds and recently won her second consecutive state title.

Such success makes the 16-year-old an easy choice for El Paso Times 2005-06 Girls Most Outstanding Wrestler.

"She's the real deal, the total package with her determination and dedication," Hanks wrestling coach Tony Carter said. "She's a goal-setter. She'll work through things. If she's sick or hurt, she won't give excuses."

That certainly proved true when she lost her first match of the season. And when she felt burned out at times, she persevered to finish the season a sparkling 37-1.

For Lowe, the sport is all about determination and, whereas many wrestlers try to pin their opponents quickly, she prefers to wear them down and "maintain optimum control."

It was that approach that helped her defeat Southlake Carroll's Tiffany Larriba 5-2 in a grueling championship match at state.

"The best wrestlers don't always win, but the ones who perform best under pressure do," Lowe said. "It's a mind game sometimes and by being able to maintain control, I think that messed with her mind. And you have to have solid training to back you up because, if you don't have the endurance, then all the technique and strength in the world can't win you a match."

The win was another milestone for Lowe, who was named Hanks' Girl Athlete of the Year for 2005-06, but she is far from content. Next season she hopes to become El Paso's only female wrestler to win three consecutive state titles.

It would be a remarkable achievement, especially for a girl who admitted that in middle school she had no motor skills, didn't play sports and leaned more toward the fine arts.

Now at Hanks, she appears to have found more motivation. And don't expect her to slow down any time soon.

"I love a challenge," she said. "To me, that's what living life is about. I can't go through high school doing just intellectual things."