Senior Lidianna Davenport moved to PHS from Virginia earlier this school year and is currently the only active female wrestler on the wrestling team. Davenport used to play field hockey as a freshman at her old school, but settled on wrestling when she was searching for an extracurricular.
“I wanted to get out of my comfort zone,” said Davenport.
Maintaining a healthy weight in wrestling is very important for players to be prepared for the season. Practicing and being consistent are other ways to improve.
Her skills include good balance and the ability to stay on her feet for extended periods.
Wrestling is often explained as a fun, hands-on sport.
“It gives me something to do, keeps me moving and thinking. I find it really fun because the overall experience is so hands-on, and it challenges you every day to keep going,” said Davenport.
Girls’ wrestling is vastly different from boys’ wrestling. Girls can only wrestle other females as of this year, and the new changes to the curriculum. Practicing is the same as usual; both males and females practice together and learn many new things as a group.
“Boys and girls no longer compete together. Last season was the first year for Indiana to have a separate girls’ division,” said Davenport.
As of now, there is not an all-girls team, meaning that if there are other females at the competing school, they would wrestle each other; if there are none, they automatically win in their category.
When she is unable to compete, she uses the time to photograph the other wrestlers for the media department.
“I’m hoping within a couple of seasons that we will get enough interest that we can have a full all-girls team,” said Wrestling Coach JT Zapien.
Zapien said anyone interested, even in this season, should reach out.
“This is why I always try to encourage our female athletes to come out for wrestling. I know in the past, girls have been hesitant because they had to wrestle boys, but that is no longer the case. If any female student is interested in wrestling, then they are more than welcome to come in for a few practices to see if wrestling is a fit for them,” said Zapien.
