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Say hello to WB’s first girls’ wrestling team
by Matthew Dickenson, sports reporter · Sports · November 16, 2022
West Branch begins its inaugural girls’ wrestling season after the sport was officially sanctioned by the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union with one returning wrestler and four new faces.
“Girls are way better learners than boys,” Bears Head Coach Jake Slocum said of how the team is progressing. “It’s just little things they need to work on. But they know what wrestling is and the rules. So it’s not like I’m starting from scratch. So it’s kind of a relief off of my shoulders.”
Senior Emmersen Thomas is the lone returning wrestler for the Bears.
Thomas looks to cap off a successful career with a state medal after reaching the sixth consolation round for the second straight year in a row.
Thomas finished the season with a 19-3 overall record while wrestling in the 106 weight class.
The senior would also be the first West Branch wrestler to take home a state-sanctioned medal. She would also be the second-ever girl to medal at a state event following WBHS graduate Madelyn Hartz, who achieved the feat last season during her senior year.
“Nothing short than a state champ,” Slocum said of his goals for Thomas. “That’s possible. No matter what, bringing home a medal. I think last year, not getting a medal really made her angry. I think that’s just fueling her for this year. Every year, she’s just one match from placing, which makes her crazy. A state champ wouldn’t be out of the question. And that’d be awesome to end her senior year like that after just starting three years ago for wrestling. She’s come a long way.”
The Bears have four newcomers to the sport at the high school level.
Sophomores Teagyn Hartz and Hanna Lacina as well as freshmen Mia Rice and Lauren Keeler look to gain experience in the first season of sanctioned girls’ wrestling.
“I would say this year, we went from two last year to five,” the coach said of the program’s numbers. “That’s not a crazy amount of people, but I think it’s going to get better as the years go on. And what these girls do, I think that will spark more interest.”
Slocum added that 96 wrestlers are in West Branch’s youth wrestling league.
The coach attributed these numbers to the success of the programs at the higher levels, which inspires more youths to participate in the sport.
Slocum believes the group, especially the newer wrestlers, are on an even playing field across the state.
“Now that it’s sanctioned, I think there’s going to be more numbers in girls’ wrestling across Iowa,” Slocum said. “So I think getting a jump on knowing everything [is key]. If we can get ahead of everybody and learn the moves quickly, everyone placing [at state] is not outrageous. It’s a new sport, so everyone’s kind of fresh at it. We’re just as good as anybody else.”
The coach added that he could see all five of his girls placing at state, or at least making it to the competition, after learning more of the basics.
Slocum added that he hopes this group will be “starting a history and starting a future for this program” that will last after they have graduated.
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