The following story was written by a student on the staff of The Jaguar Times as part of Hilliard Bradley High School’s Journalism Production course.
by Lucy Cotter
Student Life Editor
Hilliard Bradley’s Girls Wrestling team became their own official team in 2023 with their own schedules, matches and uniforms. Previously, any female players were a part of the boy’s team, as there were not enough girls for their own team. The wrestlers would attend boy’s tournaments and hope for another female player to wrestle; otherwise, they would wrestle a boy instead.
Coach Rawlins, who has coached wrestling for over 20 years, explains that “girls and boys wrestle differently; bodies bend differently. It isn’t about strength or speed, but it’s all about technique, which you have to twist towards the males or females.” Rawlins is optimistic for the future of the girls’ team, saying, "Now they have something of their own. They have a team…there’s so much excitement that goes along with that.” The formation of the girls team demonstrates an exciting step towards the success of girls' sports at Bradley.
Wrestling starts as early as middle school and leads on to high school. Razan Rasul (9) started wrestling on the Memorial Boy’s Wrestling team in 8th grade. Rasul enjoys the high school team better than middle school because she formerly “had to wrestle the boys and had [fewer] girl’s tournaments.” High school wrestling has allowed her to “only wrestle girls and have more girl’s tournaments.” Rasul emphasizes the fun she has with the girls on the team.
The new team has created a new and closer bond between the female wrestlers. Jayna McClory (11) has been wrestling for four years, two of which since the girls’ team was sanctioned. McClory discusses the bond the female players share: “the girls are like my sisters since we spend so much time together and go through a very tough sport together.” She also mentions “I can’t imagine where I would be in life without them.”
Wrestling as a girl in a male-dominated sport can be difficult to navigate. Fortunately, Bradley has formed their own team with their own schedule playing against other female teams. As the second season for the official girls team wraps up, the team is set up to grow in numbers. Coach Rawlins reveals girls wrestling “has been growing in the middle schools. There are four 8th graders and five 7th graders on the team now, and it’s building up as they come into high school.” The team is projected to grow significantly in numbers in upcoming years.
Wrestling has a spot for everyone as it is a no-cut sport where all participants can individually grow as a wrestler and athlete. If you are interested in wrestling, contact Coach Rawlins with any questions regarding the sport or to sign up.