Sophomore Mara Vanderpool has been successful in wrestling since the age of four. She has gone beyond her high school level and competed nationally, and won her first national title at eight years old. Wrestling was a heavily male-dominated sport, and has only now been evolving and getting more and more popular every year for girls. Vanderpool shared what age she joined the sport and if there were any challenges being in a male dominated sport since such a young age.
“I started wrestling when I was four years old, and It was hard growing up in a heavy male dominated sport, and it still is, simply because the sport was created by men,” Vanderpool said. “I never got anything less or went lighter in practice, because I was a girl none of that really mattered. Competing against boys got harder as I got older, because they were stronger. However that didn’t matter to me because I didn’t compete for the medals or trophies, I competed to better myself and be the best version of myself. ”
Head coach Bob Mulligan has been coaching the girls wrestling team at Westside for the past five years. He got to see the girls wrestling program grow over the years. It started from just three girls their first season to now having around 25 girls in the current season. He described Vanderpool’s growth as a wrestler over the past seasons.
“Mara has grown tremendously as a wrestler and a leader,” Mulligan said. “She continues to get better every time she touches the mat, and she took a big jump from a leadership standpoint which is amazing considering she’s only a sophomore.”
Being in a sport for so long, and starting while being a child, you tend to develop routines or practices before matches. Wrestling is as much a mental sport as it is a physical one. Vanderpool expressed how she prepares for a match physically and mentally.
“I start mentally preparing for a match by using visualization techniques and meditation. I need to get into a calm mental state, so I can be prepared for my match,” Vanderpool said. “I physically start preparing for a match right after weigh-ins, I have to put the right fuel into my body so I can perform at my best. I listen to my music a couple matches out from mine, so I can be focused.”
With the sport getting more popular every year, being successful in the sport gets harder. Vanderpool has won national championships, and placed third last season at the state championships as a freshman in the 105lb bracket. Coach Mulligan shared what he thinks makes Vanderpool standout as a wrestler, especially compared to other athletes on the team.
“What makes Mara different is that she is 100% a wrestler,” Mulligan said. “She never gets enough of it and she truly has made it her identity.”
Being a student athlete is time consuming and can get in the way of your social life. Vanderpool has dedicated most of her time to wrestling and practices everyday. Because of her wrestling at such a high level she shared what sacrifices she had to make to pursue wrestling and how she balances her social and school life with wrestling.
“There are many sacrifices I’ve had to make, even still are day to day. Making major changes to my eating habits. Giving up time to do other stuff because of practice or workouts. I’ve had to miss out on a lot of hangouts and time with friends, to practice or travel during the majority of summer,” Vanderpool said. “Sometimes balancing school and social life with wrestling can be very hard on me. I keep the two very separate in my mind and focus on one thing at a time. I always remember to live in the present. I’m thankful however the majority of my teammates I am close with and enjoy hanging out with, outside out the sport.”
Vanderpool was out in the beginning of the season due to an injury. She made her comeback recently and placed second and the Manstedt Invite to then went on the win the Metro Championships. Coach Mulligan expressed what he thinks has been the most important factor for her success so far mentally and physically.
“Her mental toughness has been huge in her success,” Mulligan said. “She has overcome some tough losses and injuries to keep performing at a high level.”
While there are many sacrifices made in the sport of wrestling and it is a high risk for injuries, there are many positive experiences that you get in return. Vanderpool explained what was the most rewarding part of being a wrestler.
“The most rewarding part of being a wrestler is how humble it makes you become. Simply because of how relentless the sport is,” Vanderpool said. “You can train for months, and wrestle your best match, and still lose. I think the most rewarding part of being a wrestler is the person it made me become today. It made me become very goal oriented and driven. ”
Girls wrestling is a growing sport and many colleges have developed programs as well. Vanderpool has already shown that she is one of the best wrestlers in the state, and now her challenge is facing tougher competition on the national stage against other top wrestlers in the country. Coach Mulligan shared what are his expectations for her in the future – both for the rest of the high school season and beyond.
“The sky is the limit for Mara,” Mulligan said.
While there is a great chance Vanderpool can be one of the best wrestlers in the nation, taking it one step at a time is important in wrestling. She has competed in many tournaments over the span of her life and has a feel for her competition so Vanderpool explained what her goals are for the rest of her high school career and if she is thinking about wrestling in college and going beyond the high school level.
“For the rest of my high school career, my goals are to continue to get better at the sport for the mental and physical side, keeping my body healthy and not having any major injuries, and getting prepared for college,” Vanderpool said. “I plan on wrestling at a high level in college and possibly competing in the Olympics.”