While she has dabbled in numerous sports over the years, including football, softball, baseball, basketball and swimming, Ferranti would eventually find herself on the wrestling mat.
“I was actually going to try football my freshman year because I’ve always been a bigger girl since I was little,” she said. “But, then I found wrestling and my coach told me I was a perfect fit because of my strength and size. It was a sport that made me feel welcome for my size, and I’m used to being physical having grown up in a house full of boys.”
It was a decision that undoubtedly paid off, given that the Klein Oak junior would go 46-3 and win State in the 185-pound weight class as a sophomore.
She would go undefeated and win another state title this winter.
“At first, I didn’t know that I had won because I thought we were in the second period when it was actually the third,” Ferranti laughed. “After they made the announcement, I was just thinking, ‘Wow, I did it’. I took a big breath of relief because I had put so much effort into it. Having all of that pay off was surreal.”
Ferranti isn’t done, yet.
“I feel like I can always improve,” she said. “If you don’t have that mindset, then you’ll never get better. Thinking you’ve hit your peak just slows you down. My goal this year was plain and simple – I wanted to go undefeated.”
Mission accomplished.
Her goals don’t end at the high school level. Ferranti naturally has her sights set on even greater ambitions.
“Long-term, I intend to take this to the collegiate level and I’m eventually going all the way up to the Olympics,” said Ferranti. “I don’t care how good of shape I need to get in or the mental pressure that comes with it. If I put my mind to it, I will get there.”
Considering all she has already accomplished, that statement feels more like a promise than a prediction. But, just how is it that Ferranti maintains this level of laser-focus?
“I’ve always had things going on in my life. It can all pile up on you, if you let it,” she said. “If I always have something to keep striving for, that just keeps me going and focused on the good things.
“If I want to be the best of the best, nothing is stopping me, except for myself,” she said.
With maturity beyond her years, coupled with her unwavering determination, it won’t come as a shock to see Ferranti live out her dreams in the near future. The first step is an undefeated State Championship in her junior season.
