At 130 pounds and already a two-time letter-winner, Brooklyn Dilworth did not grow up on the mat. In fact, she did not even start wrestling until October of 2024, the beginning of her junior year. While many athletes begin their careers in elementary school, she took a different path, proving that it is never too late to step into something new and make it your own.
No youth tournaments. No middle school seasons. Just a willingness to try something completely unfamiliar. She admits there is not a dramatic backstory or lifelong dream attached to her wrestling journey.
“There isn’t much interesting other than starting pretty late,” Dilworth said.
But in reality, that decision to begin late might be the most interesting part of all. Walking into a sport known for its intensity without prior experience takes confidence, and courage.
Transferring to Westside her junior year meant more than just learning a new sport. It meant stepping into a new school environment without knowing anyone and without knowing anything about wrestling. That could have been overwhelming. Instead, it became life-changing.
“This team has given me my best friends and truly made a big impact welcoming me to Westside my junior year. Not knowing anything about wrestling or knowing anyone at Westside, they were my biggest supporters and helped me in many ways,” Dilworth said.
For her, wrestling quickly became about more than wins and losses. It became about belonging. The long practices, tough conditioning, and competitive matches were balanced by laughter, team dinners, and shared hotel rooms at tournaments. Her favorite memory is not a single match or medal, it is the moments in between.
“My favorite memory of wrestling is getting to go out of town and staying in the hotels with the girls,” Dilworth said.
Those overnight trips built friendships that extended beyond the mat. Team bonding during travel gave her something every athlete hopes to find, a second family.
Dilworth’s impact on the team goes beyond statistics. Starting late and still earning her letter shows younger wrestlers what is possible with dedication and heart. She represents resilience, proof that you do not have to follow the traditional path to succeed. By stepping into the room with no experience and committing fully, she models bravery and growth.
Looking ahead, her journey on the mat will not continue at the collegiate level. She does not plan to wrestle in college. Instead, she has set her sights on attending the University of Nebraska Lincoln, where she plans to major in Nursing. Her long term goal is to become a nurse anesthetist, a career that requires discipline, focus, and the ability to perform under pressure. Interestingly, those are the same qualities wrestling demands.
Though her competitive wrestling career may end after high school, the lessons will stay with her. Wrestling taught her how to start something scary. It taught her how to push through challenges. Most importantly, it gave her friendships and confidence during a major transition in her life.
Starting late did not hold her back, it defined her story. And for Dilworth, the journey from beginner to leader is something worth remembering.
