For the first time at South, a team of girls will hit the wrestling mats this winter, their first practice having been on Monday, Nov. 10. The official girls’ wrestling team will be composed of girls from both South and North, Courtney Middleton, Associate Athletic Director, said.
Since there are not enough girls at South or North to have two individual teams, the district approved a co-op, a team with members from both schools, Middleton said. They are now aiming to grow participation and eventually establish independent teams at both schools, Middleton said. The girls’ wrestling team began at the suggestion of girls interested in the sport, some of which who had originally been playing on the boys’ team, Tom Mietus, Assistant Principal of Athletics, said.
The district approved the co-op after girls wrestling became an official Illinois High School Association (IHSA) sport in the 2021-22 school year to ensure that girls who would like to compete would have a team of their own, Middleton said.
“Seven girls showed up to [the informational meeting],” Middleton said. “[We] encouraged those girls to continue sharing the message that we’re going to move forward with having a co-op program.”
Girls need no prior experience to be part of the team, and the coaches will teach them all they need to know, Middleton said. Students might feel intimidated about getting involved in a sport they have no experience in, Middleton said. Girls who feel scared but want to be part of the team are encouraged to bring along some of their close friends to feel more comfortable, senior Nicole Szafraniec, former wrestler on the Boy’s team, said.
“As hard as it is, you just gotta push yourself to show up,” Szafraniec said. “It’s really important for [people] to give things a try rather than never trying it.”
Wrestling is a sport that requires a lot of effort, both physically and mentally, but because it is a no-cut sport, the main goal is to have fun rather than take it so seriously, Szafraniec explained.
“If you’re planning on joining, have fun [and] make new friends,” Szafraniec said. “It’s a great experience.”
Girls who are interested in wrestling are advised to come try it out, even if it is just for fun, Szafraniec said.
“[Wrestling is] so transformative, it really changed who I am and my outlook on the world,” Szafraniec said.