WRESTLING WITH THE ODDS

Women wrestlers and wrestling coaches discuss the importance of female athletes.

Reported by Kate Biesemeyer | Designed by Brodey Hutton | Photos by Lizzy Garr

This year alone, the women’s wrestling team gained more traction around the school by winning more tournaments and gaining awards. The women’s wrestling team consists of nine women with two dedicated women’s coaches. Last year alone, the women’s team sent two wrestlers to the State.

“It’s just a sport that a lot of people see as a guy sport,” senior Alexis Ritchie said, “It’s fun to be a girl wrestler.” This year is Ritchie’s second year with the women’s team, at their previous tournament, Ritchie got third in the 115 weight class. “All my brothers wrestled,” Ritchie said, “so I thought it would be fun.”

Although the men’s and women’s teams are separated, there are not many notable differences between them. The teams both practice every day after school and both put in hard work and dedication to getting better.

“There’s no major differences other than weight classes,” men’s wrestling coach, and math teacher Kellen Laws said, “when they get into college, girls wrestling is what is called Freestyle, which is a form that is common at the international and Olympic levels.”

According to collegewrestlingrecruiting.com, only about 6% of wrestlers are women while 96% are men. “There are currently 48 programs in the Women’s Collegiate Wrestling Association,” collegewrestling said.

So far, the women have made it to the George Hoover invitational with freshman Lilly Breeden placing first in the 100 lbs weight class, freshman Sandy Breeden placing first in the 105 lbs class, junior Jaden Breeden placing first in 110lbs weight class, senior Alexis Ritchie placing third in the 115 lbs class and senior Izzy Tali placing second in the 170 lbs weight class.

In another tournament, Queen of the North, freshman Lilly Breeden at 100 lbs, won first in her weight class with a record of 4-0. Freshman Sandy Breeden, at 105 lbs, got first in the 105 weight class with a 3-0 record.

Junior Jaden Breeden, at 110 lbs, got first in her weight class with a 3-0 record. Senior Alexis Ritchie, at 115 lbs, got sixth in her weight class with a record of 3-2. Senior Izzy Tali, at 170lbs, got third in her weight class with a record of 3-1.

During the normal season, which falls between October and March, the women go to six tournaments, which lead to Districts and State, and you can watch them live on their facebook @LJaysWrestling

The women had a home dual against Liberty North where the two tied for the overall winner. Freshman Sandy Breeden won her match in the 100 lbs weight class. Junior Jaden Breeden won her match in the 115 lbs weight class. Senior Alexis Ritchie won her match in the 120 lbs weight class.

To keep up with the women’s wrestling team, follow them on Twitter @LadyJaysWrestle, on Instagram @ladyjaywrestling and if interested in joining the team, contact Coach Gage or Coach Motis via email, at caroline.motis@lps53.org and at gage.harrison@lps53.org.