Pekin senior wrestler Lexa Nelson has announced her commitment to continue her wrestling career at Loras College in Dubuque.
A Journey of Perseverance
The eleventh of thirteen children, she started wrestling because her older brothers did. Her early years were challenging—she won zero matches in eighth grade and just three as a freshman.
After her freshman season, Nelson underwent hip surgery. She was cleared on a Friday, wrestled in a tournament on Saturday, finished the season, and then underwent another hip surgery.
The hard work paid dividends. After continuing to practice during off-seasons, things began clicking during the second half of last season, culminating in her sixth-place finish at state.
Why Loras?
Nelson considered several schools before choosing Loras, but ultimately the decision came down to feeling at home.
“I did consider a few other schools and what really made me choose Loras was just how welcoming everyone was there and the team was super nice and welcoming of me,” Nelson said. “The coaches were also amazing with everything which just made me even more ambitious to choose them.”
Family connections also played a significant role in her decision.
“But in the end it really came to the fact that I just felt at home there with my twin also going to Loras next year and my aunt living up there. It just made the decision that much easier,” she explained.
Development Opportunities
Nelson sees Loras as the perfect place to continue growing as a wrestler, particularly with the transition to different wrestling styles at the collegiate level.
“I feel like Loras will help me become better as a wrestler mostly because of the change in styles from folkstyle to freestyle, as well as the opportunity to wrestle with new people at a more difficult level,” she said.
Rather than setting specific competitive goals, Nelson’s college aspirations focus on broader impact and enjoying the experience.
“I don’t really have any goals for myself at the college level except to just have fun and hopefully encourage more younger girls to give wrestling a try,” she said.
Nelson plans to study secondary education at Loras.
“I’m most excited to get to spend the next four years living in Dubuque close to my sister and aunt,” she added. “I’m also really excited to see how wrestling with a new team will go.”
Coaches’ Perspectives
Loras College Girls Wrestling Head Coach Jeren Glosser expressed excitement about Nelson joining the program, praising both her athletic ability and character.
“We are very excited for Lexa’s commitment to Loras College. She is an extremely tough and accomplished on the mat,” Glosser said. “Along with that, Lexa is an amazing student and person. She will be an asset for continued growth of our Loras women’s wrestling program!”
Pekin Girls Wrestling Head Coach Al Chapman recalled a pivotal conversation with Nelson when he recognized she had reached an elite level.
“I pulled her off to the side and told her she is ‘there’! And that she has what it takes, it’s no fluke,” he said. “She proved it by placing sixth at the state tournament last year.”
What She’ll Miss
As she prepares to leave Pekin, Nelson reflects on what she’ll miss most, starting with her fellow senior wrestlers who have been on the journey with her.
“When it all comes to an end I’m going to miss wrestling with the two other seniors that have been wrestling with me since freshman year, Hailey Pedrick and Lila Miller,” Nelson said. “They have helped push me more than anyone else and have been through just as much as I have. I’m also going to miss wrestling with my little sister.”
Most of all, she’ll miss the unique culture built within the Pekin wrestling room over the past few years.
“And what I’m going to miss the most is probably just the team and environment we have been able to build at Pekin the past few years in the wrestling room. There is truly nothing like it,” she said.
Message to Young Wrestlers
Nelson hopes her story inspires the next generation of female wrestlers and wanted to emphasize the importance of sharing stories like hers.
“I think that spreading things like this is very important for the next generation of female athletes and especially wrestlers,” Nelson said. “As when I was in 8th grade and just started wrestling I never thought that I would make it to the college level, let alone state.”
Her journey from struggling freshman to college-bound state placer demonstrates that obstacles don’t define outcomes.
“After only winning three matches my freshman year and having two hip surgeries to begin, then becoming a state placer heading to college for wrestling—it is very important that others are able to see that they too can make it happen no matter what is thrown in their way,” Nelson said.
