Wrestling has been known as a male-dominated sport for much of its existence. In recent years, this has changed with women’s wrestling becoming an official sport in 1989 and an official women’s Olympic event in 2004. Freshman Regan Rosseter wants to show that wrestling is not just a male sport. She wants to make a difference and become a known woman wrestler for Westside.

“It was a boy sport. Just because I am a girl it doesn’t change that,” Rosseter said. “I may be the only girl on the team but that doesn’t change how the boys should practice. It may be awkward to practice with a girl but that shouldn’t change. Wrestling is one of the toughest sports you will do. When I first started wrestling, I was the only girl and I just went on with it. Now, look how far I came to being ranked in the state and the country.” 

Rosseter, being the only female wrestler for Westside, wants to show that wrestling shouldn’t only be known as a male sport. Rosseter’s newest achievement was her second place finish in the Tulsa, Oklahoma, national event. Already as a freshman, Rosseter has three Nebraska State titles.

“I went to practice every day and didn’t skip one practice just because I didn’t feel like going to practice that day. I knew that I had one of the biggest tournaments coming up. I got to practices, got my shoes on, and started running and warming up like I normally do. Then I would find a good practice partner, and my coach would tell us what to do. We would hand fight for four rounds, which were each a minute, then we would practice our best two-shots for 10 minutes. I also had to cut weight, so I had to make sure I was eating the way I should have been eating.” Rosseter said. 

Rosseter trained every day to make sure that she would be ready to reach her goal of winning at Tulsa Nationals. Rosseter would lift and train even on days when she didn’t feel up to it. Her sights were set on a goal, and she knew she wanted to accomplish it. Even though she did fall short at the first place win, she would go on to place second by the end of the tournament. Rosseter hasn’t only accomplished being crowned second at nationals. She is also the first female wrestler to go undefeated during her eighth grade season at Westside.

“I didn’t think I was until my coach told me that I was the first girl to go undefeated. I was super amazed that I was able to achieve that. That was another one of my goals for the middle school season. I was proud of myself,” Rosseter said. 

As well as being the first girl to go undefeated, Rosseter’s sights are set to be one of the first females to win the girls wrestling State championship for Westside. 

“I hope that I will go with 10 plus wins for this season. I hope I can be the first-ever girl to win state for Westside. I want to have six-plus pins for the season,” she said. 

Rosseter has many achievements and wins that she is proud of throughout her wrestling career so far. But she still has many more goals she wants to reach in the years ahead. 

“When I wrestled at the middle school my seventh-grade year I went undefeated until the city conference, I got 3rd at the city conference. When I wrestled my eighth-grade year at middle school it wasn’t the greatest season,” she said.  “I was also the very first girl to be able to go undefeated for Westside. I was also the first girl to be on varsity in my seventh and eighth-grade year. I have won so many titles like Tulsa nationals, Who’s Bad National champion, Battle of the Belt, 3x State Champion, I [also earned] the Ultimate Warrior for my seventh-grade year” 

When Rosseter started wrestling for Westside, she made varsity which was a big accomplishment for her. 

“The most important component of wrestling is being able to take shots, stand ups, sit outs, being able to put people on their back, just being able to know what you are supposed to do during the moment, be able to know that the move you are trying to do isn’t always going to work, so you may have to go a different move,” Rosseter said. 

Rosseter’s purpose with wrestling is to make a difference and also achieve the goals she set for this season ahead. Watch for Regan Rosseter on the mat for Westside this wrestling season.