SILVERDALE — For Sloane Kruger, executing takedowns or turns for pins wasn’t the only battle she was going up against.

The Black Hills High School senior went through a tug-and-pull mental game with positivity. After all, the star wrestler has dealt with plenty of adversity in three years. She’s come one match shy of a state title in back-to-back years. She went through and rehabbed a shoulder injury.

That’s now a thing of the past. Now, all Kruger seeks is staying in a good head space.

“It took some time getting used to being more positive throughout my life,” Kruger said. “I do it without thinking. It feels good; everything is good.”

Two pins and a second period technical fall victory was part of a workmanlike Saturday for Kruger in winning the 105-pound bracket and moving to 37-0 on the year at the first-ever Lady Cougar Invite at Central Kitsap High School.

Thirty-five of Kruger’s victories have been via bonus points. She got the first takedown in the finals against North Mason’s Natalie Roberts, made one turn and settled in for the pin in 53 seconds.

About the only misstep of the day was Kruger was still in the locker room and missed her podium photo.

“Certainly, she has goals this year,” Wolves head coach and Sloane’s dad Stephen Kruger said. “Her patience has really helped her develop her moves. She wanted to compete with some of the best.”

One of the wins that Kruger wrestled the full six minutes was the first place bout against Washington High’s Kyler Menza, the reigning small classification champ at 100-pounds, at the River Ridge Rumble.

After picking up the 7-2 victory, it was another boost that Kruger felt was needed. Not only on the path to get over the finals hump, but to remain positive through the multi-month grind of a wrestling season.

“Just the mental clarity has been the biggest thing for me,” Kruger said. “With the new scoring (three points for takedowns instead of two), I get more of those complete falls and tech falls.”

The last two Mat Classic shortcomings remain the driving force of motivation in Kruger’s final prep season. She’s followed a routine on and off the mat, but admitted it’s been more of a focus this year.

Yet the biggest thing Coach Kruger has seen from the standout has been how willing and open she’s been with her teammates. Whether through advice or help in the corner, the rest of Black Hills’ roster has been open ears.

The Wolves finished fourth in the team race with 99 points. Hosts of the day Central Kitsap accumulated 160.5 points to win its home tournament.

“For her to relate to them, makes me proud as a dad,” Coach Kruger said.

Kruger stated she’s been in contact with various college coaches to wrestle at the next level. For now, she’s a handful of wins away from capping her high school career with perfection. Still, she hasn’t fully peaked yet.

“When it comes to people who are good at escaping, I struggle with mat returns,” Kruger said. “I gave up points because of it. That is an area I do need to work on.”

Averie Reynolds picked up a 10-3 win over teammate Sierra Houseman for third place at 125-pounds while Sophie Reed (115), Isabella Steinebach (155) and Isabella Chernard (170) all placed fourth.

Tumwater’s Reagan Humphries was the runner-up at 190-pounds, getting pinned in the second period by Kent Meridian’s Anna Muzuri. Humphries nearly was stuck quickly in the opening two minutes, but got two reversals to stay alive.

Muzuri ended up settling for the fall at 2:43.

“Especially in the last couple of tournaments, she’s gotten a lot better on bottom,” Thunderbirds head coach Mike Pannkuk said. “A little quicker on her feet (and) a little better on her ground game, too.”

It was the second tournament Humphries wrestled at 190 after competing at 235 for the majority of the season. The plan was to get the junior down before the postseason and Pannkuk believes it will be beneficial.

“We gotta tweak a few more things and hopefully be ready to go for (the postseason),” he said.

Tumwater’s Sayde Machado (100) and Verne Pope (132) both placed fourth.