Trojan Girls Wrestling: Two Years in the Books and Playing Strong

Girls at Platteview have found enjoyment in another season of wrestling. The now two-year-old team has only improved since last year. “Last year everything was new . . . our girls at Platteview have greatly improved as individuals and as a team,” said coach Mandi Jensen. All over the United States, other schools are starting to expand the sport of wrestling by creating or growing a girls team. Not only does this mean that there are more opportunities for people to be active, but now girls have more opportunity to benefit from a “life changing sport,” as described by sophomore Haley Haack.

Haack has been wrestling since last year, when she was looking for a new sport to try as a freshman. She says that “wrestling has affected me in a positive way all around. It has made me a better athlete and I’m in better shape now than I have ever been my whole life.” Not only does wrestling improve each person’s physical abilities, but Haack stated that “I have a better mindset, and my life outside of school has improved.” Moreover, wrestling is a team sport, although each wrestler has to wrestle their own matches. “The team is like a family, and everyone feels included,” she adds.

Freshman Kayla Jeffrey believes that “girls wrestling is important because it gives more opportunities and respect to girls.” Haack holds a similar perspective; she says that having a girls wrestling team “shows that girls are capable of starting something new, especially something that is male dominated . . . girls can see they can do things that wouldn’t usually be ‘accepted’ for us.”

As of right now, girls wrestling is not an official high school sport in Nebraska. “Although it’s unfortunate [that it isn’t an official sport], I still think that the women around Nebraska represent well,” Jeffrey explains. However, colleges are now on the lookout for girls who can potentially join their wrestling teams; this could open more scholarship opportunities for dedicated girl wrestlers.

In the springtime, the NSAA will vote whether or not girls wrestling will be sanctioned as an official high school sport in Nebraska. Becoming sanctioned would mean that girls would get their own gear, space for practice, and an official state championship. “It is relatively uncharted territory for a lot of school boards and athletic directors, especially because it’s girls in a ‘boys’ sport,” says coach Mandi. “Getting more women into coaching and refereeing positions would be helpful.”

Saturday, February 1st, 2020 the Girls Wrestling Team headed to York High School for their first State Wrestling Tournament, expecting the best. Phoenix Jenson and Kylee Burkhardt both received 2nd place in their weight class. Lexi Adams was awarded 5th place.