Journal Writing Project Girls wrestling

By Diann Smith

GMLOS Bulldogs have started its first ever girls wrestling team this year. I have had the honor of being the captain for the girl’s team and it has been so much fun. The team is made up of 8 girls including Megan Owens, Karina Lee, Megan Geier, Mackenzie Armogost, Emma Hemann, Delaney Alden, Brandy Christian, and myself. All the girls are just starting this year, so they have all had to learn the sport and start from scratch which isn’t easy because some of these girls have never even heard of wrestling or even watched a match before in their whole life. Even though they are new to the sport they do not let it stop them. They stay positive and push through the hard practices every day and never get down on themselves when something gets hard. This is such a great experience for these girls and me. I have been wrestling for a very long time and have never gotten a chance like this. With this group of girls, I have had the most fun I have ever had. They are all so kind and everyone gets along, and we just have so much fun. We all are hard working and very motivated.

This year we have our very own girls state which will be held just like a normal state. We will have sections at the Civic Center followed by a State at the Xcel Center. All the girls are training hard, and we have our first all-girls tournament on February 5, 2021. I have been talking to some of the girls about this tournament and what their goals are. Delaney said, “My goal this year is to learn new moves and work really hard to reach my goals.” It is Delaney’s first year and she is very excited because she has always watched her brother wrestle and she thinks it is such a cool thing that girls are able to do it this year. Megan Geier said, “For my goal I really just want to focus on gaining more experience because it is my first year and overall, I would just really love to win one of my matches.” My goal this year is to make it to Girls State. I have always wanted to make it, but the boys are strong, and I think I have a better chance this year.

As many people know wrestling is huge on weight and making the right weight and it is very new to the girls, but they have been handling it very well and everything just comes very naturally to them. They had their first meet last night and not all the girls got to wrestle cause the other teams didn’t have enough people but the girls that did wrestle did very good. They were very nervous because it was some of their first ever matches and they didn’t know what to expect. We started to warmup, and they all were freaking out but once they got out on the matt they did so well. Watching them get to wrestle was like watching all their hard work paying off. Even though they did not win their first matches they still came off the matt with a smile on their faces and they all know not to be nervous now. We also know we have a lot of work to do to be ready for state, but I think when it comes time for state a lot of the girls could make it.

I am very grateful for all the girls that have come out this year and I am thankful for everyone that made it possible for us to be able to have our first ever Girls State Tournament this year. This has been so much fun and I can’t wait for what is yet to come.

Diann Smith is a student at Grand Meadow High School. She is one of 14 area students participating in the Journal Writing Project, now in its 23rd year.