Girl’s flag football made a big splash in the fall of 2023. Girl power was in. This was nothing new for female wrestlers, who had been playing their sport with boys for years. FCPS added varsity girls wrestling as a new high school sport for the 2024–2025 school year, bringing more attention to women in sports. Unfortunately, there weren’t enough girls to keep the matches entirely separate during the school year, but the girls had their own separate wrestling championship this February. The Walkersville wrestling team has embraced these changes as the number of girls participating has increased.
When asked about the recent changes, team Captain Alexis Nicholas said, “I think that these changes are very good because it’s giving girls an opportunity to do something different. [Wrestling} is a lot different than other sports and will benefit them a lot and give them opportunities.” Nicholas’ dad was a wrestler in high school, and when faced with choosing between karate and wrestling when she was younger, she chose wrestling. She hasn’t looked back, although she said it wasn’t always easy: “Being on the team last year was kind of a lot because I was the only girl on varsity, but the guys helped push me.” She also attributes her success to good coaches and a team that is supportive and tries to motivate each member. Nicholas hopes the wrestling program will expand even more in the future: “Wrestling in general has grown a lot, but more girls are getting interested because the few girls that were on the boys team have helped get people on the team.”
Girls wrestling is great for all schools, especially allowing women to participate in sports because of diversity and their needs for competition. It builds confidence, grit, resilience, mental toughness, self esteem, self reliance, and discipline. Wrestling also encourages physical fitness and teaches basic self defense. Wrestling teaches how to be confident, from the first handshake with an opponent to walking off the mat. Winning or losing, girls wrestling is very powerful. It teaches women to be confident in their own skin, and allows them to stand out in crowds and not be ashamed of their worth.
As a female student at WHS, when I walk around the hallways and see girls my age in male dominated sports like flag football, basketball and baseball, I am filled with joy and pride. It shows me and other girls that they can succeed in a sports environment dominated by males in this school, and sports could be something I can pursue in the future if I believe in myself and have confidence. Victoria Heck explained how she felt about wrestling: “I love the team and getting to know all these amazing girls. Coming into this new sport was nerve racking, but my team makes it so much easier and more enjoyable.” She and the other girls who are making their mark as female athletes are why I believe girls wrestling will be good for this school. Not only can women compete in wrestling, they can participate in any sport. Girl power for the win!
