Girls belong in high school wrestling, and are thriving despite the challenges

Michelle Collins

June 27, 2025 

Youthcast Media Group®

In a dimly lit gym, the sound of heavy breathing and the slap of sneakers against the mat echo. Wrestling is not a glamorous sport. It’s raw, gritty, and unapologetically tough. As a girl wrestler in a sport dominated by men, I’ve come to know these truths intimately.

Walking into my first wrestling practice felt like stepping into a world I wasn’t entirely sure would welcome me. The room was full of boys—bigger, stronger, louder. I wasn’t sure if I would belong. 

Wrestling as a girl is not easy. It’s not just about learning moves or building endurance—it’s about proving you belong in a space that wasn’t designed with you in mind. 

Wrestling guys is even harder. They’re naturally stronger, faster, and heavier. To keep up, I have to put in twice the effort—spend extra hours drilling techniques, building strength, and perfecting my strategy. Every practice leaves me drenched in sweat, my body aching, but my determination intact.

In a match, you have no idea what your opponent is going to throw at you. Blink for too long, and you miss it. There’s no subbing out if you’re tired. Either you keep fighting, or you get slammed to the mat in less than ten seconds. I’ve learned you don’t have to be the ultimate powerhouse to win; mental games are everything. You have to believe you’re not tired, keep pushing, and be strategic. As my coach says, “You gotta be a bulldog on the mat. Don’t bark—be the first to bite.”

But the truth is, I’m not alone. On our team, other girls are just as determined, and just as fierce. We form a bond unlike any other—a silent understanding of what it means to constantly push against the odds; They’re my biggest inspiration. We push each other, celebrate each other’s wins, and help pick each other up after losses. 

The boys on the team play a significant role, too. They joke around, tease us like siblings, and sometimes forget just how hard we’ve worked to be here. But beneath the banter is a surprising level of respect. They support us in ways that matter, they’re the first to yell advice from the sidelines during a match or congratulate us after a tough win.

And the coaches? They’re incredible. They’ll break you down mentally and physically, but only to build you back up stronger. It’s not about punishing you—it’s about showing you what you’re capable of. They don’t just teach us wrestling; they teach us discipline, resilience, and how to fight for ourselves.

Wrestling has taught me so much more than just moves on the mat. It’s shown me that pain is temporary, but pride lasts. Every match is a battle—not just against my opponent, but against my own doubts. I remind myself, “It doesn’t hurt, it doesn’t hurt,” even when it feels like my body is about to give out.

Every time I step on the mat, I prove something—to myself and to everyone watching. I prove that girls belong here, that we’re not just surviving but thriving in a sport that wasn’t designed for us. Wrestling is hard, but it’s worth it. The wins feel like the highest highs, and even the losses teach me how to fight harder.

Being a girl wrestler in a sport full of men isn’t just about breaking barriers—it’s about proving that those barriers were never meant to be there in the first place. And every time I step onto that mat, I remind myself: I belong here. We belong here. And we’re not done fighting yet.

Michelle Collins recently graduated from Annandale High School (AHS) in Annandale Va. AHS is one of Youthcast Media Group’s journalism class partners.