Throughout these past couple of months of their first official PIAA season, Girls Wrestling has exemplified vast improvement and ambition.
When asked how she believes their first season is going as an official PIAA team, Senior Lauren Vertuli explains, “It is going really well! It has been nice having the regulations and the funding of all the other sports.”
Like Vertuli, Senior Allison Coldren shares, “We’ve had lots of ups and down from this season, but all of the girls are working super hard to make it through the post season tournaments.”
Coldren dives deeper into the team dynamics and the support they receive from each other. She explains, “Our girls are all super supportive of each other. Wins or losses, there is always someone in your corner to cheer for you, and to give you a high-five or even a hug if you need it.” She emphasizes that support “is super important in the sport because you need someone to motivate you when you aren’t having a good day.”
Sophomore Laurel Kuhn keeps things real by reflecting on some of the struggles the team has faced this past season. With a current record of 3-4, it hasn’t been the easiest season. “As a team we struggle with pushing ourselves past our limits and giving up on that last second of a match.”
Vertuli also admits, “Dual meets have been a struggle for us as a team because we don’t have enough girls for all the weight classes, which costs us in competition.”
On a more positive note, the team overall has accomplished many notable things during their first official season. Having their first practice, dual meet and tournament, and finishing 8th out of 48 teams at the Jim Thorpe Coal Cracker tournament contributed to their progress as a new team this year.
When asked how they would prepare during the off-season and pre-season, Vertuli and Kuhn shared about summer camps, competitions, and other sports that keep them in shape, such as cross country. Coldren exclaimed, “Champions are not made during the season, to be a champion you have to use your free time to better yourself.” Coldren goes on to emphasize the importance of consistency with her workouts and maintaining her endurance, even during the off season.
Ultimately, the girls all share the same goal of heading to states and placing. As of right now, it looks quite possible, especially if the team remains positive and continues to stay strong.
This team is the perfect example for anyone who wants to defy aged athletic standards. Because of their hard work, they’ve paved the way for future female wrestlers.
