02/22/2026
10 years.
10 years I’ve been on the floor at state wrestling. The energy is always the same.
My brother just won his third state title and Senior Athlete of the Year. With my dad, brother, and uncle in the corner. We are a wrestling family in every sense of the word. I grew up on the mat. I grew up in gyms. I grew up knowing this sport inside and out. And I don’t take that for granted.
The passion behind wrestling is unmatched. There are people pouring into these boys whose names aren’t listed anywhere. The behind-closed-doors work. The extra drilling. The late nights. The life talks. The “again.” The “one more.” The “you’re better than that.” That kind of investment changes lives.
Coaches put their heart and soul into this sport. As the daughter of one, I see it differently. These kids become your own. It’s not just a season. It’s not just a record. It’s time. It’s sacrifice. It’s giving your time year-round to high school boys who are still figuring out who they are.
Getting to be with my dad every weekend is something that’s so special to me. Wrestling taught me early that excuses are excuses. There is always another way to win. You either find it, or you explain why you didn’t. The mat exposes that fast.
Everyone in that gym is giving something. The refs. The moms. The stats. This sport wouldn’t exist without them.
Most refs have kids at home or sitting in the stands watching them. They have real feelings. They make mistakes. They’re there because they love the sport and want it to stay alive. So maybe speak accordingly. Or go start training to be one yourself.
Moms don’t get enough credit. They’re there every weekend. Bags packed. Food ready. Keeping the wheels turning at home so their kids can chase something hard. They feel every high and low right alongside them.
The stats deserve respect too. Half the time the boys know when they’re up because of them. They give up their weekends and evenings just like everyone else. They love this sport too. The more women who understand wrestling, the better this sport gets. You need moms who get it. You need girls who know it.
For a sport that demands this much dedication, there are shockingly few spectators. Broken hands. Rolled ankles. Torn shoulders. And they still step back on the mat. So much heart and grit.
And your attiturde says more about you than the scoreboard ever will.
I didn’t just watch this sport. It built me too.
This sport raised me. Loud and proud.
More photos: https://aesthetepix.pic-time.com/-StateWrestling2026
