By AUBREY KOCH
Sheridan High School Student
Editor’s note: The Sheridan Student Column is brought to readers by Sheridan High School’s 10th grade honors English class, taught by Tanya Busailah.
The 2024-2025 school year was an exciting time for girls high school wrestling: IHSAA officially sanctioned high school girls wrestling.
Prior to this school year, Indiana was one of only five states that had yet to sanction girls wrestling championships, according to HoosiermatWrestling.com. Although Sheridan High School previously offered girls wrestling as an athletic team, it was exciting to see the IHSAA finally sanction it.
The girls at Sheridan High School were excited to know they could now participate in official state sectionals, regionals, and state level competitions.
I first began wrestling with the Sheridan Girls Wrestling Team at the start of this year’s season. From pre-season training only two times a week into post season practice five times a week, my love and passion for wrestling has grown and is continuing to grow. Tournaments every weekend have given me something to look forward to and work for throughout the week.
We had a great season this year, and nearly half the team made their way out of sectionals to compete in regionals. Although none of my teammates made it beyond regionals, it was still great to see how far we went! It was great to be a part of the team. The camaraderie in girls wrestling is something I haven’t seen in any other sports I’ve participated in before.
I discovered wrestling was a great outlet for me. Once my wrestling season was over, I joined the Black Talon Wrestling Club (BTWC). BTWC is a non-profit organization based out of Sheridan. They teach kids of all ages how to wrestle. It is nice to have somewhere to continue to practice and further develop my wrestling skills. It has also been a learning experience for me in regard to working with younger kids. It is one thing for me to feel confident with my own wrestling skills; however, it is a different thing to have to take that information and then teach it to the children. Watching them learn various wrestling moves, while having success in their matches, is always rewarding.
Having the opportunity to participate in the SHS Wrestling Program, as well as the Black Talon Wrestling Club, helped me in many ways beyond the mat. The strong bonds and friendships I have created with my teammates over the span of the season have helped me in and out of the wrestling room. It is a privilege to be able to compete and practice with supportive coaches and teammates, who continuously help me and motivate me to improve my skills and push me out of my comfort zone.
Wonderful!