Watkins Memorial girl wrestlers take center stage for first time
PATASKALA — Forget a decade or two ago, the sight at the new Watkins Memorial High School on Wednesday would have been unfathomable just five years ago.
More than 200 girl wrestlers in grades seven through 12 filled the mats in the facility's two gyms. Watkins had five competitors in the Warriors' first girls high school tournament in program history.
"It's kind of cool just to be the first," senior Zenna Stirling said. "To be able to say I was part of the first girls team, the first girls tournament at Watkins, I just hope it continues once I am gone. I hope the middle school is able to keep growing the amount of girls we have."
Watkins hosted a middle school girls tournament for the first time last winter, and high school competitors joined them Wednesday. Middle school coach Eddie Jayne capitalized on growing interest at the younger levels to begin a girls program at the middle school, and the Warriors now have talented girls competing for the high school, too.
Wednesday's tournament drew standout wrestlers from every corner of the state, including 12 who were placers in last year's state tournament held by the Ohio High School Wrestling Coaches Association.
"Some of them are so good," Watkins varsity coach Mark Kurth said. "It shows the dedication and the heart they have for the sport. Just like the boys, it's good for your body and teaches you a lot about work ethic for things down the road."
Stirling in her second year of competition has held her own in a handful of exhibition matches against boys, but she has enjoyed the opportunity to compete against girls several times already this season.
With the number of girl wrestlers exploding across the state, Watkins competed in its fourth girls tournament of the season Wednesday and will have three more later this winter.
"I always went on the mat (last season) thinking, 'Oh, I'm going to lose.' This season I know I can beat these people," Stirling said. "I have more confidence, and I know how to get out of things."
Watkins freshman Zakhia DeBose, who competed in just a three-person class at 140 pounds, pinned both of her opponents to earn the Warriors a gold medal.
Stirling rebounded from an early loss to Tinora's Carmella Castenada, a returning state runner-up to take second at 125, finishing 4-1, including hard-fought victories of 6-5 and 5-3. Senior Claire Campbell recorded two pins at 170 and placed fourth.
"It's been kind of an honor because I really love the school, and it's been nice to see it pop up so fast when we have more girls joining every year," Campbell said. "It's nice to see such great competition and have that family bond to experience what the boys have. ... It feels really great to be at the beginning of a really long tradition."
Lauryn Bickle, a first-year senior, pinned her first opponent from Washington Court House at 135. She later earned a second pin, eventually placing sixth in a 12-participant class.
"When I heard the coaches say to go around, I go. They know what they want me to do, and I know I have this," Bickle said. "This is my first year, so having that support is very nice."
Junior Layla Grove also competed for the Warriors at 235. Emma Watkins did not compete Wednesday, but she won the 145-pound title at River Valley in the Warriors' previous competition.
Watkins also had seven wrestlers competing in the middle school tournament, a number that suggests the team will have staying power. The middle school tournament also included girls from Licking Heights, Licking Valley and Northridge.
"It's hard because we live in kind of a conservative town. Parents are frowning on girls wrestling because they have the idea we are going to be wrestling guys," Stirling said. "It's a lot easier with the younger girls because they can go in and try it. It's hard to get more girls, but we are definitely working on it."
Most of Stirling's matches the last two years have consisted of exhibition bouts on a side mat during the dual competitions. She admitted it was fun Wednesday to be in the spotlight.
"It feels good," Stirling said. "I am glad the boys at practice that think I am their rag doll to practice with can actually see me wrestle and look good."
ksnyder@newarkadvocate.com
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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Watkins Memorial girl wrestlers take center stage for first time
