The thud of the mat echoes through the wrestling room as Alyssa Lucy Navarro drops into her stance. In one smooth motion, she drives forward, executing a clean takedown that leaves no doubt—this is her element. Her teammates pause, watching in quiet admiration. Navarro makes it look easy, even when the ref lifts her arm. Every movement carries the weight of late practices, sore muscles, and her will that refuses to quit. Watching her wrestle isn’t just watching strength; it’s watching years of commitment come to life.
Now a senior, Navarro is stepping into her final wrestling season with a major focus on her journey. She plans to compete in the 145-pound weight class, though she expects to start off at 155 while continuing to cut down. The challenge doesn’t intimidate her—it fuels her.
“I have high hopes for myself,” Navarro said with a grin. “I’m on the decline pretty fast, and I know I can get there.”
Her ultimate goal is clear: to make it to State. “I’m excited to show out and give it all I’ve got—definitely at State,” she said. “I know I’m going to make it through districts for sure. I have faith that I will win, and by the grace of God, I’ll be at State doing the absolute best I can.”
This season, Navarro’s determined to hit a milestone she’s dreamed about for years—100 career wins. With 86 already secured, she’s well on her way. But for Navarro, success isn’t just about numbers. It’s about what—and who—comes next.
“My goal this season is to get 100 wins for sure,” she said. “But I also want to set up a future for my younger sister since she’s wrestling this year. I want her to see what’s possible and believe that she can do it too.”
Among all the tournaments ahead, the CFISD Invitational stands out as the one she’s most excited for. “CFISD brings everyone together—from San Antonio, Dallas, all over,” she explained. “It’s exciting because I get to see if I’m really the best of the best.”
When it comes to Regionals, Navarro’s confidence is steady and grounded. “Fingers crossed, number two,” she said, smiling.
Beyond competition, Navarro hopes to leave her mark as a leader. “Last year was good, but I didn’t have much to do with the team dynamic,” she reflected. “This year, even though I’m wrestling, I want to be that captain who brings everyone together. It’s hard—but it’s worth it.”
Even though she’s moving into a new weight class, she still remembers the rivals who pushed her hardest—like Beasley from Foster High School, who defeated her at districts last year. “She knocked me out,” Navarro said, shaking her head with a laugh. “But I know I’m better than her.”
What fuels her expectations this year is everything that he has been through–the non-stop grinding, setbacks, and major and minor victories that pave the way for an ever growing confidence. Navarro’s wrestling story has been one of constant growth. “My freshman year, I wrestled at 185 but only weighed 155,” she said. “It was rough, but I still did pretty well for where I was at,”.
By her sophomore year, her perseverance paid off. “Making it to State as a sophomore was huge for me,” Navarro said. “I didn’t think I could do it, but I did. I didn’t go that far, but I was proud of myself.”
Her junior year, though, tested her in ways she didn’t expect. “I had an injury that ended up needing surgery,” she explained. “It was hard not making it through the year, but I’m just grateful to be back. This year, fingers crossed, I can do better.”
Those experiences–the near misses, the long recoveries, the quiet doubts– are what drive Navarro now. They’re why her expectations are high. “I’ve been through a lot with wrestling,” she said. “So now, I just want to prove to myself that I can finish what I started.”
Now outside of wrestling, Navarro already has her eyes set on the future. After graduation, she plans to pursue a career as a forensic pathologist–someone who investigates and studies causes of death to help solve crimes. “I’ve always wanted to help with criminal cases,” she said. “Basically, I want to be the person who helps with criminal cases,” she said. “I want to be the person who helps figure out what happened and bring answers to families.”
She also hopes that she can continue to wrestle at the college level, possibly following in the footsteps of our Panther wrestling alum, Evelynn Garcia and Daphanee Miller. “I do want to wrestle after high school,” Navarro said. “Probably at one of the colleges they went to.”
Her goal for medals this year is simple: at least eight. Her goal for herself? To leave nothing unfinished.
For Navarro, wrestling isn’t just a sport—it’s a reflection of faith, grit, and heart. As she steps into her senior season, she carries more than just her own dreams. She carries the pride of her teammates, the hopes of her sister, and the quiet belief that with determination and faith, anything is possible.
