WOMEN IN SPORTS

GIRL POWER BREAKS THE MOLD

Gender-based stereotypes shift as women join male-dominated sports

Addison Mark | Staff Reporter

Women throughout history have had to fight to prove to the world that they can do anything a man can do. Every day, women make progress in fighting gender barriers in sports to achieve this goal.

As a female, it is exciting and empowering to live in an age in which a woman can be the vice president of our country, and to see classmates proudly and courageously join male-dominated sports with the support of their team, coaches and families.

MISS POWERMOVE

Almost two years ago, an injury prohibited junior Charlize “Chespo” Esposito from continuing dance, an activity she enjoyed for 13 years. This led to her discovery of biomechanics training and weightlifting, which she found boosted her confidence and created an outlet to release her stress.

Esposito’s interest in weightlifting grew, and so did her interest in the BK weightlifting team. However, as she inquired about the team, she hit a roadblock.

“I realized there were no girls on the team, so I didn’t know if I actually wanted to do it,” Esposito said. She earned a spot on the team, and explained that the experience was intimidating at first, but her coaches and friends helped her feel accepted and comfortable. “She is always locked in on her technique and continues to improve dramatically from where she started,” head coach Tim Krause said. “All of our athletes are incredibly supportive of her and excited for her when she performs well.”

Esposito feels she proved herself when she lifted her personal record for benching at 160 pounds, and her personal record for power clean, an Olympic weightlifting move, at 145 pounds. “It’s cool to influence the guys and help them change their perspective,” Esposito said.

Esposito faced the challenge of breaking the team’s preconceived notions of what a girl could do. She showed them that her gender was not a barrier and anyone can do anything they set their mind to.

“That’s my favorite part: the boys don’t expect it,” Esposito said. “And then they figure out I can lift as much as them and realize there’s not really a difference between us.”

WRESTLING STEREOYPES

Sophomore Mallory Frattle and freshman Rachel Howard have joined the ranks of the BK wrestling team.

Frattle’s older brother was on the wrestling team during his time at BK, and his support, Frattle says, helped encourage her to try out for the wrestling team during her freshman year. She also believes that her past experience of dance classes helped prepare her for wrestling by improving her flexibility. She would one day like to wrestle on the collegiate level. “You should definitely try it,” Frattle said. “At first it might seem a little weird because you might be the only girl, like [for me] last year. You might start something where more people want to enjoy [the sport].”

Frattle’s presence on the wrestling team inspired Rachel Howard to join the team. “At first it was really nerveracking because I didn’t really know anybody, but then I started to get to know Mallory, and then it got more fun from there,” Howard said. She encourages girls wanting to join the wrestling team.

“Ignore the fact that it’s a boys sport, because there’s really nothing that says it’s only a boys sport,” Howard said.

At a time when many high school girls are afraid to do anything different for fear of being an outcast, it is inspiring to see female athletes put themselves out there and take a risk.

TOP: Charlize Esposito prepares for the clean n’ jerk lift in the setting squat position. BOTTOM: Sophomore Mallory Frattle and freshman Rachel Howard are members of the wrestling team.