Throughout Zayna Muntasers four years here at Lakewood High School, she has shown off what it means to be a Lakewood student. Additionally, Zayna has shown incredible dedication and determination out on the mats, becoming the state’s runner-up for girls’ wrestling, a remarkable award highlighting her passion and love for the sport.

Wrestling is an intense and very physical sport requiring technique, endurance, strategy, and much more. It is competitive, going up against one other wrestler in your weight class either trying to grapple them and pin them to the ground or to get enough points. Even though you are only going up against one other person, you still get points overall for your team.

“The most important part of wrestling is the toughness,” head girls wrestling coach Russ Germaine said. “Having to work through and push yourself, and Zayna has done just that.

“It was challenging while also fun, I was pushed past my comfort zone and everyone was very welcoming,” freshman Abby Preston said.

There are many key components to wrestling, but a big part is the mental demands. In wrestling, you never know what your opponent will do next, you have to be prepared for anything while working under pressure. During the match, thinking quickly and coming up with a solution plays a large role in winning the match.

“I try to make it as fun as possible,” Germaine said. “We have had team dinners, all having fun and bonding and we have gone bowling together.”

This year Zayna Muntaser was the 24/25 state qualifier for girls wrestling, but this wasn’t the first time Zayna had made it to states. This was Zayna’s 4th year in a row being a state qualifier for girls wrestling. Along with being a 4-time state qualifier, Zayna is a 3-time state placer placing 5th and 3rd in previous years, and 2nd this year.

“I felt so different each year I went to states, but my senior year was the most memorable,” senior Zayna Muntaser said. “I went into this year with many goals, the biggest being states. I was the only one on our girl’s team that made it out. I was scared to go alone but thankfully my coaches told me that Riley Robertson was coming along which was something I was very thankful for. I couldn’t sleep the three-hour van ride to Columbus like I wanted to because I was so nervous. Once we got there I had some time to wait on the mats and that was when I realized that after this, I was done wrestling. I felt so emotional. I can’t explain what I felt like during the other days but I know that I was proud of myself. I worked so hard for it. I laughed, cried and so much more but I had so much support from everyone, and I couldn’t be more thankful.”

Much has led Zayna to become the fantastic, determined wrestler she is today.

“I played basketball for so long, from first to eighth grade,” Muntaser said. “I wanted something new and I remember my mom telling me about a girls wrestling team when I was in middle school. I thought it sounded cool and what better time to start than my freshman year? My first year changed me in so many ways. I learned how to push my body when my mind was telling me I couldn’t. It helped me with my mental and physical health.”

To get into Zayna’s phenomenal senior year of wrestling, Zayna was one of the captains of the wrestling team. Along with being captain she became the most wings and pins record holder in a season and career. Later on in the season, the team faced off at the Defense Soap Pool Tournament, Zayna placed first and was a champion. Zayna majored 14-0 in her semi-final match and advanced to the finals and the state tournament.

On Friday, March 7, Zayna Muntaser went down to Columbus, OH, and pinned down her opponent, and the next day, pinned down another opponent. Zayna worked extremely hard day in and day out and on Sunday, March 9, became the 2025 state runner-up.

On Monday, March 17 she was honored by the Board of Education for her amazing four years of wrestling. The recognition shows off her skills on the mat and demonstrates her hard work and everything she has put into her four years of wrestling along with being a fantastic student.

Even though this is the end of her four years wrestling for Lakewood High School, Zayna is going to have memories that will last a lifetime, along with bonds with other teammates and coaches. Being a part of wrestling for Zayna was more than just a team; it was a family. Zayna was surrounded by support from every angle, including her friends, family, coaches, and team. Everyone got to witness everything that Zayna had worked on over and over, never feeling discouraged at any moment.

“It’s been a life-changing experience being able to coach Zayna,” Germaine said. “I’ve been coaching her for the last two years and being able to watch her go to states each time, It was a fantastic experience.”

“Zayna helped me with learning and would push me to succeed,” Preston said. “She made sure I wouldn’t give up and always tried my hardest.”

Through highs and lows, wins and losses, and early morning practices, Zayna grew as a wrestler and as a person. She learned life-long lessons, resilience, discipline, how to think on her feet, and how to push through even through the hard moments.

“I genuinely loved every part,” Muntaser said. “I had many amazing teammates and coaches who helped me get to where I was… I will never forget the Lakewood wrestling team.”

“The most important thing I learned was not to give up even when it gets hard,” Preston said.

Not only did Zayna love the sport for what it was, but she also had a connection with the sport some might not know.

“As a Muslim Palestinian, not only is wrestling a good deed in my religion but it also signifies the hard work and resistance of my Palestinian brothers and sisters,” Muntaser said. “Being able to represent my religion and heritage as the most decorated wrestler in Lakewood history has not only made me and my family proud but also my community. I was able to break boundaries as a brown Muslim woman. Typically we are viewed as submissive and weak, but through wrestling, I was able to prove otherwise. Showing just how strong and resilient we can be when given the opportunity.”

As the season has come to an end it is never too late to congratulate Zayna on everything she has done this season and past. Her hard work and all of her accomplishments doing the sport she loves most has truly left a mark on Lakewood High School.