Leadership in wrestling is often associated with wins, records and who steps into the circle when the pressure is highest, but for Makenzie Martin, leadership has come to mean something deeper, showing up everyday, lifting others up, and finding purpose in every role the sport has given her.
Her wrestling journey began in elementary school. After watching her little brother try the sport first and enjoy it, she decided to try out the sport for herself. What started out as curiosity quickly turned into commitment. Nearly nine years later, wrestling has become a defining part of who she is.
High school brought a new level of intensity. Practices became tougher, expectations higher, and the mental side of the sport more demanding.
“Once high school started up, I realized how much work you have to put into it to get something good out of it, and how hard it is to maintain your weight and maintain your attitude when you’re practicing everyday, especially when you have to watch what you eat,” Martin said.
Yet, through it all, she discovered why wrestlers keep coming back.
“It’s definitely worth it when it comes to hanging out with your teammates, the adrenaline of winning and learning,” Martin said.
“My favorite part of wrestling is the life lessons that it’s taught me, like discipline and how to be a good teammate, it’s also shown me that you have to work hard for the things that you want,” Martin said.
Discipline, accountability, and teamwork became lessons she carried off the mat. Wrestling showed her that hard work pays off, and that success is earned, not given.
Those lessons became especially important near the end of her sophomore year, when she suffered a shoulder injury at districts. Unable to compete at districts or state, she was forced into a new role. Instead of seeing it as an ending, she turned it into an opportunity to grow.
While watching her team compete for a state title from the sidelines was difficult, it also revealed something powerful. She realized her value was not limited to her ability to wrestle. Her presence, encouragement, and leadership still mattered, and her team felt it.
She embraced that role fully.
“There is no way I have learned to handle my injury, but I still love to be a part of wrestling. I had to find my purpose in wrestling, whether it was being on the mat or not. I noticed that I really like being a good teammate and cheering on the team. I also really like coaching, especially little girls because I see myself in them and I really want them to achieve their goals,” Martin said.
Staying involved, cheering loud, and supporting her teammates became her new way of contributing. Over time, she discovered a passion for helping others succeed. She found joy in being the person teammates could turn to for advice, motivation, or reassurance. Coaching became one of the most meaningful parts of her journey. Helping them chase their goals reminded her of why she fell in love with the sport in the first place.
This season, she sees a team full of potential. With strong numbers on both JV and varsity, the girls wrestling program is not only talented but closely connected. Despite their differences, the team supports one another, grows together, and celebrates improvement. Watching her teammates develop throughout the season has been a highlight for her.
As a captain, she leads in the moments that often go unnoticed. Off the mat, she is a listener and a motivator. She helps teammates break down matches, encourages them after tough losses, and reminds them to support one another—especially during high-intensity duals. She believes wrestling is better when everyone is involved, cheering together and sharing the moment.
Her leadership is rooted in empathy. She understands pressure, disappointment, and perseverance, and she uses those experiences to guide others. Teammates know she is someone they can trust.
“Being a team captain off the mat is definitely not easy, but I continue to be one by always giving the girls a shoulder to cry on if they are frustrated on how they are doing or answer questions that they may have about their matches. They ask me, ‘Why did I do this wrong?’ and, “How can I do this better?” “I encourage the girls to support one another especially in duals, when the intensity is high and because they are more fun when there is more people involved,” Martin said.
Looking ahead, she plans to attend college and study psychology, hoping to stay close to home and close to family. Wrestling will remain part of her life through coaching at the youth club where she grew up, giving her the chance to mentor the next generation.
If there is one message she hopes others take from her story, it is that leadership is not limited by circumstance. Even when injuries change your role, you still have the power to make a difference.
“Something that I want people to know about me is that if you’re going through an injury that is taking you out of our sport, just know that I’m definitely someone to talk to. I’d love to help you. Even though I don’t know all of the answers, I can help you figure out how to deal with it in a healthy way. I know the right and wrong ways on how to deal with something like this, and I know that it’s definitely not easy,” Martin said.
Through positivity, commitment, and care for her teammates, she has shown that some of the strongest leaders are not always the ones in the spotlight, but the ones who lift everyone else into it.
