Posted: Feb 15, 2018
A Program on their Shoulders
Courtesy of Nassau
(Garden City, NY) Going into my first tournament at the NWCA All-Star Classic in Princeton, NJ there is no denying it - I was nervous. I didn't know what to expect, and I definitely didn't feel ready.
Back in November it was just Coach Thomas and I. So I didn't even have teammates to warm up with or anyone to share my pre-meet jitters with. I remember jogging around the gym a couple of times to loosen up, and then watching - mesmerized - from the bleachers as all the other teams drilled and stretched out.
I had never been to an all women's tournament before, and seeing the hundreds of female wrestlers in one place for the first time was awe-inspiring.
I ended up finishing 1-2 that day. I was disappointed that I didn't do better, but it was my first meet and I honestly didn't know what to expect. I was actually excited to get back on the mat and work out the mistakes I had made.
Fast-forward a few months to the end of January 2018. Coach Thomas took us to Lebanon, Illinois for the Bearcat Open. We had recruited a few additions to the team, including our newest member, Emily Shores.
Emily made the transition over from cheerleading to give wrestling a try. Illinois was her first meet, and I could tell she was nervous. I warmed up with her, and shared my pre-meet tips of advice. She competed impressively that day. I remember her saying, "Going to Lebanon with the team really gave me a chance to bond with everyone and see what matches entail. My first time on the mat was exhilarating!" She admitted on the bus home that transferring from cheerleading to wrestling in a week was a little bit odd, but that she was really enjoying the experience so far. I was happy to hear this as I hoped that my camaraderie had helped aid in this area.
That meet at Illinois was a big day for me. I was set to compete in a total of three times. I lost the first match, but turned around to win the second.
The third match was the most intense competition that I've come across to this day. Just before taking the mat, I realized that I recognized the opponent I was about to wrestle. She was the same one who pinned me in the first period of my first competition back in November.
I went into the match ready for revenge. We fought round for round until we were tied 10-10 with about 20 seconds left. I had come from behind in points by crotch lifting her twice. But after the second crotch lift she managed to get behind me. I was doing everything in my power not to let her turn me. I had already worked it out in my head, knowing that I scored the last four-point move, so if the match ended 10-10, I would take the W. But with seconds left she turned me to my back, scoring the 2 points she needed to take the victory, 12-10.
I have never been angrier with myself, as a part of me felt like I had failed. I had let the win slip through my fingers. But the fact that I had come so close to beating the same opponent, who had pinned me so quickly less than 2 months before, said something to me. It was proof of how far I had come this season.
I know this experience hasn't been only life changing for me, but for my other teammates as well. Take Carolyn Herrera for example. Carolyn said to me after our last meet together this year that, "the experience I've had from my first to my last tournament will be an unforgettable one. This is the one sport I never thought I would be able to participate in and now it has become the love of my life. Win or lose, it's all about trusting the process. One day, my progress will soon make me a better wrestler, and I can't wait for everything that comes with that ride."
Things have really transformed since that first tournament in November. We now have a total of 5 girls on the team. That means I finally got my teammates I had dreamed of to warm up with. We have a more set routine where we stretch and do drills together before every meet. I have more friends to braid my hair before big matches, and more people to laugh and play UNO with in the hotel room after away tournaments. And overall, I as a wrestler have truly evolved. I've competed hard, and pushed myself in ways I didn't even know were possible. I am already looking forward to next year and to continue this beautiful journey with my new friends, teammates, and coaches.
(Garden City, NY) Going into my first tournament at the NWCA All-Star Classic in Princeton, NJ there is no denying it - I was nervous. I didn't know what to expect, and I definitely didn't feel ready.
Back in November it was just Coach Thomas and I. So I didn't even have teammates to warm up with or anyone to share my pre-meet jitters with. I remember jogging around the gym a couple of times to loosen up, and then watching - mesmerized - from the bleachers as all the other teams drilled and stretched out.
I had never been to an all women's tournament before, and seeing the hundreds of female wrestlers in one place for the first time was awe-inspiring.
I ended up finishing 1-2 that day. I was disappointed that I didn't do better, but it was my first meet and I honestly didn't know what to expect. I was actually excited to get back on the mat and work out the mistakes I had made.
Fast-forward a few months to the end of January 2018. Coach Thomas took us to Lebanon, Illinois for the Bearcat Open. We had recruited a few additions to the team, including our newest member, Emily Shores.
Emily made the transition over from cheerleading to give wrestling a try. Illinois was her first meet, and I could tell she was nervous. I warmed up with her, and shared my pre-meet tips of advice. She competed impressively that day. I remember her saying, "Going to Lebanon with the team really gave me a chance to bond with everyone and see what matches entail. My first time on the mat was exhilarating!" She admitted on the bus home that transferring from cheerleading to wrestling in a week was a little bit odd, but that she was really enjoying the experience so far. I was happy to hear this as I hoped that my camaraderie had helped aid in this area.
That meet at Illinois was a big day for me. I was set to compete in a total of three times. I lost the first match, but turned around to win the second.
The third match was the most intense competition that I've come across to this day. Just before taking the mat, I realized that I recognized the opponent I was about to wrestle. She was the same one who pinned me in the first period of my first competition back in November.
I went into the match ready for revenge. We fought round for round until we were tied 10-10 with about 20 seconds left. I had come from behind in points by crotch lifting her twice. But after the second crotch lift she managed to get behind me. I was doing everything in my power not to let her turn me. I had already worked it out in my head, knowing that I scored the last four-point move, so if the match ended 10-10, I would take the W. But with seconds left she turned me to my back, scoring the 2 points she needed to take the victory, 12-10.
I have never been angrier with myself, as a part of me felt like I had failed. I had let the win slip through my fingers. But the fact that I had come so close to beating the same opponent, who had pinned me so quickly less than 2 months before, said something to me. It was proof of how far I had come this season.
I know this experience hasn't been only life changing for me, but for my other teammates as well. Take Carolyn Herrera for example. Carolyn said to me after our last meet together this year that, "the experience I've had from my first to my last tournament will be an unforgettable one. This is the one sport I never thought I would be able to participate in and now it has become the love of my life. Win or lose, it's all about trusting the process. One day, my progress will soon make me a better wrestler, and I can't wait for everything that comes with that ride."
Things have really transformed since that first tournament in November. We now have a total of 5 girls on the team. That means I finally got my teammates I had dreamed of to warm up with. We have a more set routine where we stretch and do drills together before every meet. I have more friends to braid my hair before big matches, and more people to laugh and play UNO with in the hotel room after away tournaments. And overall, I as a wrestler have truly evolved. I've competed hard, and pushed myself in ways I didn't even know were possible. I am already looking forward to next year and to continue this beautiful journey with my new friends, teammates, and coaches.