Alexis Storsved

MANDAN – Alexis Storsved didn’t even know there was such a thing as girls’ wrestling until Mandan coach James Porter visited with her and other middle school athletes three years ago about the start of NDHSAA-sponsored wrestling at the school.
“I thought, ‘why not’, and signed up for the team,’’ Alexis recalls. 
That was a good move – for both Storsved and the Mandan program. 
Fast-forward three years and she is one of the top wrestlers in the state. The sophomore was runner-up at the 170 weight division as an eighth grader and won the state crown last year. She’s a strong contender to defend it.
“After taking runner-up at state, Alexis was hungry and asked what she could do to get better,’’ Porter remembers. “We made a plan.”
The plan included Alexis attending camps in the spring and summer as well as wrestling in several national tournaments as part of Team North Dakota. And perhaps just as important, getting stronger in the weight room.
“That kind of dedication is special,’’ Porter adds. “It definitely helps that she has a great support system at home that allows her to put that kind of time into her sport.”
Being part of the wrestling program has enabled Alexis to be part of close-knit group and have fun learning a new sport. She also loves the aspects of being pushed to her limits in practice by coaches and teammates. That has enabled her to build her physical and mental toughness.
“The hardest thing about wrestling is that it requires a lot of mental strength,’’ Alexis said. “What I mean is one needs to be prepared to be broken down physically and then have the mental strength to keep going even though their hurting. “There are a lot of wrestlers who think they shouldn’t have to work past their breaking point in the (practice) room as long as they do it on the mat during a match. Which isn’t true because the maximum amount of work you put in during practice becomes the maximum amount of work you put on the mat.”
Confidence is important for every athlete and especially in a sport where you are alone with just an opponent in front of you. “I strongly believe you have to start the match with the mindset you’re going to win,’’ Storsved said. “If someone gets on the mat and thinks they are going to lose they will likely lose. You need to be able to believe that you can win otherwise what’s the point of even trying in the match.”
As a high-ranked wrestler Alexis isn’t going to fly under the radar during a tournament. She is going to be getting the best effort from the competition. “And honestly, she would not want it any other way,’’ Porter said. 
Alexis is a competitor who thrives on getting tested. There are times during the season where she will move up a weight class and face more experience opponents. 
“I have watched her get put into situations that would panic some of the most experienced wrestlers, but not Alexis,’’ Porter said. “She will continue to work through it until she catches you making a mistake and then will capitalize on it. And if she happens to lose, she smiles and says, ‘she will get them next time.’”
And that attitude has made her wise beyond her years. Doing her best each time on the match, but accepting defeat as an opportunity to learn and grow.
Storsved indeed is a student of the sport and will often watch a video of her match right after she steps off the mat  to see what went well and what improvements can be made. She also studies her opponents and breaks down their tendencies in order to capitalize on their mistakes.
The road map to success also comes with technique-building in practice. Early in her career Alexis admits she struggled with her offensive moves (shots). With direction from her coaches she learned to become more comfortable being aggressive. Despite just a sophomore, she has become a leader for the  program. “The other athletes on the team have started to see her success and are starting to follow in her footsteps,’’ Porter said. “Alexis helps get her teammates to weight training and open mat. Because of this her teammates are now starting to see some of the same success she is having.”While the focus is on the remainder of this high school season there is an eye to the future. She will continue to wrestle in the offseason at regional and national events. Alexis finished eighth at the folkstyle nationals two years ago and third last year. The goal is to become a national champion. Porter said she will continue to wrestle as part of Team North Dakota and compete in the national events. And also continue with development camps.
All that time and effort hopefully will pay off with a spot on a top collegiate program down the road. Alexis already has one in her sights.
“After graduating, I plan to wrestle specifically at Iowa,’’ she said.
It’s a lofty goal, but goals are what Alexis is used to tackling. And one she will very likely achieve.