While most high school students are still in bed, Riley heads to her first wrestling practice of the day. Despite wanting to hit the alarm, she knows that this is something she has to do in her ultimate goal of becoming an Olympic athlete.

Riley Rayome started wrestling at the age of eight-years-old. Her father encouraged her at a young age, and the love for her sport grew and grew.

The past three years, Riley has been a machine on the mat representing the Highlander wrestling team. Besides being captain the past three years, she is also a three-time State Champion.

Preparing for every meet may be similar, but not exactly the same. Riley prepares by journaling, praying and then getting into the right mindset. Depending on who she is wrestling, depends on where she wants her mindset to be.

“Sometimes I want to be strategic, while other times, I need to get into a dominant mindset.” she explains. She also uses her preparation time for recovery; icing and eating a balance of carbs and proteins.

While Riley has not committed to a college yet, her current plans for the future detail her qualifying for the 2028 Olympics during her junior year of college. Last year she came in 8th place in the trials as a high school junior; despite her competition being many years her senior.

Even though she will be leaving soon, her impressive legacy will persist at TWHS for years to come.