3 minute read
Athletics: From Dedication to Domination
Jayda Fulp ’25 achieved a historic milestone on February 24, 2024, becoming Fort Worth Country Day’s first-ever Falcon to earn the National Champion title in wrestling. She did it in wrestling at Lehigh University. Fulp’s journey to this achievement reflects her exceptional dedication and skill, nurtured by years of training under Wrestling Head Coach Hugo Muñoz since she was 9. Muñoz attests that Fulp is a rare competitor who relishes competition and continuously strives for improvement.
Fulp’s wrestling career has been marked by consistent excellence. A three-time All-American, Fulp began wrestling competitions the summer before ninth grade and has qualified for nationals every year; second place as a freshman, third as a sophomore. This year, she finally earned the title and had an undefeated 26-0 season.
At the start of the year, Fulp set three goals: improve her technique, go undefeated and win National Prep.
“That kind of influenced me to do better at practice, during conditioning, really try against the boys, especially Luke Tierce [’24], he’s more my weight class [which is 145] and Alex Parsons [’26], he’s 157. So they gave me a pretty good push to prepare for big tournaments,” she said.
Throughout the 2024 Winter Sports Season, Fulp competed in various tournaments, including the Texas Women’s Classic and the Texas Prep State Girls Tournament, dominating her weight class each time. Despite unexpected challenges like a last-minute seeding change before nationals, Fulp’s mental and technical preparation led her to a decisive victory in the championship match.
“When it [the national competition] was all over, I just remember hearing my mom scream from the top of the rim, Hugo clapping, and all of the Wyoming Seminary girls and guys go quiet. That’s all I remember,” she said. Fulp’s fan base on the floor was her coach, Muñoz, and fellow teammate Joseph Brunson ’25, who was competing as well.
Beyond wrestling, Fulp’s athletic prowess extends to judo, where she recently clinched gold for Team USA at the Cadet (U18) Pan American Championships in Rio de Janeiro. She also is one of 26 athletes who earned direct qualification positions on the 2024 Junior and Cadet World Champion Teams by earning gold in her weight class at the USA Judo Junior Olympic National Championships in Pittsburgh at the end of June.
These victories solidify her status as a dominant force in both sports. Fulp’s achievements in judo have elevated her world ranking – she is No. 10 in the Cadet World Rankings for her weight class. Fulp earned her third straight spot to represent Team USA at the Cadet World Championships in Lima, Peru.
Looking ahead, Fulp remains focused on her athletic journey, aiming to qualify for the 2028 Olympics and represent the United States on the global stage. Her determination and unwavering commitment underscore her potential to continue making waves in both wrestling and judo, fueled by the support of her coaches and training partners and a steadfast belief in her abilities.
