Throughout the entire state of Iowa, there has been a rise in popularity amongst girls participating in the sport of wrestling. Over 740 girls are registered for the girls’ state tournament that is took place in January 2022. The empowerment of females has not only impacted Iowa but has also impacted our own Central DeWitt High School. Several female high school athletes have joined our wrestling team, making them the first girls on the team in Central DeWitt history to join.
The new addition to the wrestling team has created a positive impact on not only our Saber athletics but has continued to spread optimism throughout our school. Freshman wrestler Courtney Kramer quotes “This sport has opened up our school to a lot of new things and gives girls the opportunity to try something that most of us have never had the option to do before. It has given us the chance to show off our skills and strength on and off the mat.” Their toughness and bravery have not gone unnoticed. Junior Claire Peterson, a manager of the team, says “I am really glad that they are getting the opportunity to wrestle now. I think it shows a lot about their character.”
These girl athletes have overall created a broader picture than just wrestling and what takes place on the mat. Senior wrestler Hailey Tooley says “I think having girls in a predominantly male sport is amazing. Showing that girls can do it too is a great way to show equality.” The most important takeaway from the new addition to the team is what happens once these girls leave the wrestling room for the day and continue their everyday lives. Coach Ohnemus, head coach of the high school wrestling team mentions how wrestling builds great character, no matter what gender. “Wrestling teaches such incredible attributes like confidence, resilience, toughness, independence, and leadership-among many more. For all of the time, we have prided ourselves on teaching such important character traits to the boys, but now we can have a chance for the girls to get an opportunity to grow in the same way. They will be better citizens because of the things that wrestling is building in them.”
Females joining a once male dominant team that has now opened its arms to anyone is something Coach Ohnemus and other wrestling coaches take pride in. “I am beyond proud of these girls. As a dad of two daughters, seeing these girls empowering themselves on the mat and ushering in a whole new way for girls to participate in sports is special. They work so hard and are some of the most coachable athletes I have had.” Although the girls’ wrestling season is coming to an end, it is safe to say that their impact on the program will last a lifetime.
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(Photo: Al Case/flickr.com/CC-BY-NC ND 2.0)
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