Samera Henson, Hamilton Heights senior, has signed a letter of intent to wrestle for Indiana Tech in Fort Wayne, Indiana this fall. Indiana Tech is a member of the Mid-South Conference and a NAIA athletic institution. She is the daughter of Karen Henson and Mark Pugh.
Henson, who wants to become a sports agent, chose Indiana Tech because of its strong sports management program and the many different internship opportunities available. She chose to wrestle because four years wasn’t enough time, and she would like to continue to improve her skill on the mat in a sport she loves at the next level.
A multi-sport athlete, Henson played soccer and ran track but excelled in wrestling. She was a four-year varsity letter winner in wrestling, Girls’ Season MVP, three-time state qualifier, a member of the 50-win club, a recipient of the John Smith Legger Award, Indiana vs Illinois Duals 2022 Champion, earned second place in State competition her freshman and sophomore year, and served as the Girls team captain.
“Samera has spent the past four years in the wrestling program getting better and better every year,” said Kurt Ogden, Hamilton Heights High School Athletic Director. “She’s an extremely hard worker, fearless, very coachable, and so much fun to watch on the mat. Besides wrestling, she also participates in girls’ soccer in the fall and track & field in the spring. So, she’s one of those rare year-round athletes who is successful in three sports. We are proud of her, and we wish her well as she starts her new journey at Indiana Tech.
“Indiana Tech now has two of Hamilton Heights’ best wrestlers and, as it turns out, they are both sisters,” said Coach Gary “Iron Bear” Myers. “Her sister, Markaela Pugh, was a pioneer in women’s wrestling as she was the first ever state champion at 106lbs in women’s wrestling in the ‘Indiana High School Girls Wrestling’.”
Henson, who is a member of the Hamilton Heights Chapter of Business Professionals of America, credits Coach Myers and all the coaching staff who have helped her to become a better wrestler and better person mentally and physically.