WEST LAFAYETTE — What started as a sport to become a state level thrower in discus and shotput became, instead, an evolution of athleticism for the now senior Erin Cauble.
Much has changed for Cauble since her start in wrestling. All she wanted was to increase her throwing skills. Hold gravity off for just a few seconds longer. Not realizing that in two years, Cauble would become one of the greatest combat sports practitioners in Lafayette area history.
”My thought was the explosiveness needed for wrestling and track were so similar that I would be able to improve in the ring through mat time,” Cauble said.
Cauble enters track season once again as a contender to place top 10 in the Hoosier Relays indoor state championships on Saturday after becoming the first wrestler from Harrison to win a state title in January.
“When reflecting on this achievement the only thing I can think of is being grateful,” Cauble said. “I’m grateful that I was able to have the opportunity to be a state champion. Grateful for my parents and coaches for everything they did so that I could become a state champion.”
Cauble broke ground in other ways as well and is signed with Lindenwood University, one of only eight NCAA Division I programs to offer women’s wrestling.
“It is surreal because when I first started this sport I had no idea what would come from it,” Cauble said. “I’m very excited that I’m joining this team that has so many amazing women from all over the country who can help make me better.”
Track season has returned for Cauble who is looking to add more hardware to an athletic career that started modestly before eventually becoming a champion.
Cauble captured the IHSAA sectional title at Harrison in the shot put last season and placed 11th at state. She’s taken a liking to coaching as well whether its aiding fellow throwers or answering questions on how to perform techniques on the wrestling mat. Cauble doesn’t just want to win, she wants to leave a legacy for others to follow.
“I have such amazing teammates and practice partners within the room that I can build off of but I want to also help make the next state champions,” Cauble said.
Ethan Hanson is the sports reporter for the Journal & Courier in Lafayette. He can be reached at ehanson@jconline.com, on Twitter at EthanAHanson and Instagram at ethan_a_hanson.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Harrison state champion wrestler Erin Cauble preps for next chapter
Reporting by Ethan Hanson, Lafayette Journal & Courier / Lafayette Journal & Courier
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
