WWRESTLING: Basham Forges Her Path in Women's Wrestling
TXWES
Lexie Basham was a formidable presence on the wrestling mat from a young age; hailing from Fort Worth, Texas, she developed a love for the sport while in middle school and has since dedicated herself to honing her skills with unwavering determination.
As an accomplished wrestler at Texas Wesleyan University, Lexie Basham has received numerous accolades. She has been named the NAIA National Champion in her weight class (130 lb.) for two consecutive years (2021-2023) and has also been recognized as an All-American wrestler.
In addition, she has earned the distinction of being the NAIA Invitational Champion, the WCWA Outstanding Wrestler of the Year in 2021, USA Wrestler of the Week (Nov. 22, 2022) and recently one of six finalist for 2023 Women’s College Wrestler of the Year. Basham's impressive record of success on the mat has solidified her position as the most decorated wrestlers in Texas Wesleyan's history.
"I just fell in love with wrestling," Basham said. "It's a physical and a mental challenge that requires you to push yourself to the limit every time you step on the mat."
Basham's dedication and hard work paid off when she earned a Texas Wesleyan wrestling team spot. As a freshman, she made an immediate impact and quickly established herself as one of the top wrestlers in her weight class.
"My goal from the beginning was to be the best wrestler I could be and help my team win," Basham said. "I knew it wouldn't be easy, but I was willing to put in the work."
And put in the work she did. Basham went on to become a two-time national qualifier and earned All-American honors first as a sophomore.
Head Coach Jose Lazo said he has just been fortunate enough to be a small part of Basham's journey through the sport of wrestling.
"She is exactly what everyone wants in an athlete," Lazo said. "She is always looking to get better, which is why she is at the level she is at."
"Watching her work and trying to perfect her craft has been a lot of fun these last three years," he said. "She is tough and creates a lot of matchup problems for her opponents. I believe that comes from her nonstop work ethic."
Basham's success on the mat is a testament to her work ethic and determination. She knows every day presents an opportunity to improve and always looks for ways to improve.
"I'm never satisfied," Basham said. "I'm always looking for ways to improve and take my wrestling to the next level. That's what it takes to be successful in this sport."
As Basham looks ahead, she's excited about what's in store. She's determined to continue improving and hopes to one day compete at the sport's highest level to represent Team USA at the Olympics.
"My goal is to be a national champion," Basham said. "I know it won't be easy, but I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen."
Athletic Director Ricky Dotson knew that building a championship program at Texas Wesleyan would take time and said Basham is the cornerstone of the program's early success.
"Lexie has been a fantastic representative of our university on the national and international stage," Dotson said. "She is the unquestioned leader of our team, and her back-to-back national championships are a source of pride for our entire campus community. We are so happy that she is part of our Ram family and know her best is still in front of her."
With her talent, work ethic, and determination, there's no doubt that Basham has a bright future ahead of her in the wrestling world.