The fall sports have slowly come to an end, which means that winter sports are starting up. The girls wrestling team had a very successful season last year when they won the state championship as a team and had seven girls qualify for state. Out of the seven that qualified , five girls placed on the podium which is significant. One of the five girls is senior Piper Zatechka. She placed fourth at the state championships last season and shared what her goals are this season as she is dealing with an ACL tear.
“Our main goal is to be back to back state champs,” Zatechka said. “It’s going to be harder than it was last year, but it’s definitely in reach for us.”
Another podium placer was junior Macy Barber who placed third among her weight division. She wrestled alongside her sister, Zoey Barbey who won her weight class in the state championship. Macy placed third in her weight class and was a big help to clutching the state championship. She also explained what her goals for this season are.
“My goals for this season are to place higher at state this season, and hold myself accountable,” Barber said. “I really want to help my team and win another state title.”
The girls team head coach is Bob Mulligan. He helped lead the team to victory and was right by their side throughout last season. He shared what his goals are for the season.
“Our goals are to continue the success we’ve had,” Mulligan said. “And for our lower level girls to improve and keep growing our program.”
Wrestling is a very physically demanding sport but it is also very mentally demanding. Zatechka expressed what mentality she is taking going into the season.
“My mentality for this season is to enjoy the journey, even when it gets really hard for me,” Zatechka said. “I don’t want to spend my senior season worrying about too much besides staying focused.”
Barber also shared what mentality she is taking going into the season.
“The last two seasons I haven’t been as confident as I needed to be which has cost me a couple losses,” Barber said. “Our coaches this year want us to elevate and get better at wrestling physically and mentally. I am also really excited for this season because this summer I worked on my speed and strength for nationals, so I am coming into this season with more confidence already.”
There are many new girls added to the team, as the sport is growing more every year. Coach Mulligan shared what he is most excited about for the upcoming season.
“I’m just excited to see us compete,” Mulligan said. “We have the most girls we’ve ever had out and we return all but one from our state championship team,”
Wrestling is a very competitive and serious sport. All athletes make sure they are focused and on their “A” game, but it is also a very exciting sport as every season is special. Zatechka shared what she is excited about for her senior season.
“I’m most excited to see how our team comes together and supports one another especially at the end of the season,” Zatechka said. “If we can grow together as a team, we’ll definitely achieve our goals.”
Barber also explained what she is excited about.
“Coach Bob is bringing a lot of new stuff to the team and we have more girls. We are going to have a full varsity line up, and a varsity two team,” Barber said. “I’m also excited for Zoey’s senior season and hope that we can get her a third state title. Another thing I’m excited about is to see one of my best friends, Adeline Graser, wrestling with us this season. Mara is out which really is upsetting but she is coming back in January to wrestle her sophomore season. She has been working hard and still wrestling as much as she can.”
Sophomore Mara Vanderpool who won the state championship in her weight division is not competing in the beginning of the season. She was also a big component of the team last year, where she was dominating as a freshman. Coach Mulligan explained what he will be pushing for this season and what approach he will take to coaching this season compared to other previous seasons.
“We obviously want to be state champions again but our main focus will be to be as competitive as we can but also have fun,” Mulligan said. “My approach is always the same. Lead with love and give the girls the tools to be successful.”
Sophomore Mara Vanderpool shares just how much last season meant to her, and how it will help her improve next season.
“Thinking about last season I’m proud of my performance, even though I didn’t get the outcome I wanted. I’m proud of the positive attitudes the team kept throughout the state tournament. I’m excited to improve on encouraging my teammates and making it to the finals at state, Vanderpool said.
As girls wrestling is a relatively new sport, many of the seniors have watched the team change as the years have gone by. Piper Zatechka is one of them, and tells just how far she’s seen girls wrestling grow.
“When I started wrestling my freshman year, it was just me and one other girl on the team. Each year we’d have a few more and a few more which was really exciting to see. This year, as a senior, seeing 15-20 girls coming out for the team is such a full circle moment for me. I know that the team will continue to grow and do well even after I’m gone, which is very reassuring.” Zatechka said.
Zatechka also reflects on last season, and how many of the challenges and hardships have helped push the team closer, and increased their bond.
“The main thing I’m proud of from last season is how we as a team came together to face adversity, especially towards the end of the season. It gets a lot harder and everyone faces injuries, but we still grew stronger together to win state. This year it’s only going to get harder so I think we’ll definitely have to lean on each other for support a lot more.”
Junior Addeline Graser has transferred this year for wrestling, and is excited to be on the same team as many of her club teammates.
“What I’m excited for is being part of a new team, most of the girls I wrestle with for club so just being able to go to school with them and be a part of wrestling with them is exciting. My coaches inspire me to be a better wrestler, as well.”
As wrestling is a newer sport, many of the girls have had unique ways of being introduced to the sport. Vanderpool and Zatechka share their introductions.
“I got into wrestling because my dad owns my club team, and I’ve been around it since I was born. I started at a young age because my cousin was a 3x state champion, and he inspired me. From then I’ve always loved competing and traveling the country with my dad,” Vanderpool said.
“I started wrestling because I played football and it was my off-season sport. I’m definitely very inspired by my parents. I’m also super motivated and inspired by all my friends who wrestle too,” Zatechka said.
Because she’s a senior, Zatechka has had many experiences with her teammates. Though there have been many, she shares her all time favorite at Westside, alongside her favorite during her time wrestling.
“My favorite all-time memory at WHS Wrestling was the moment our state title was locked in. That moment was truly breathtaking, seeing all our hard work cumulate into that one moment. For me personally, it was the match I won at Women’s Nationals/World Team Trials in order to All-American. I ended the match with a late pin after having a close lead, it was such a satisfying moment for me and my club coaches.”
After having a very positive finish last year, the girl’s wrestling team is looking forward to putting in effort to have more historic wins, and compete for the state title. Follow the team as their season begins.
