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JANUARY 17, 2024
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
These ferocious Warriors are ready to rumble BY JEFF FALK
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here’s something fresh and exciting about anything new. But the most important thing about girls’ wrestling is the opportunities it presents to young women. Warwick High School is in its second season of offering girls’ wrestling as a varsity sport. While participation is still very modest and the process of development remains in the infancy stages, the Warriors have already established a solid footing.
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wellness
The artistry of ink BY JEFF FALK
Tattoos are self-expression and art. Tattoos adorn the body, boost self-esteem and can serve as vehicles for positive social interactions. Alain Bravo is a tattooer, a tattoo artist. He’s part customer service guru and part therapist,
but all artist, all the time. “Every day is something new,” said Bravo, who has tattoos adorning his arms, chest and back. “I learn something every single day. I’ve improved over the years, but you’re never going to know everything. It’s about having an open mind. You can learn from everyone. But not See Tattoo artist pg 3
“There’s always been girls who like to wrestle, but there wasn’t anywhere for them to compete,” said Warwick head coach Ned Bushong. “Why not wrestle? For a lot of them, it’s going to open opportunities for education. Technique-wise, they’re as good as the guys. It’s a good individual sport. Women can compete in it just the same as men. If they’re competing against other women, it’s equal.” This year ’s War wick girls’ wrestling squad consists of four competitors - senior Shannon English, junior Lily Sell, freshman Kori Elle McMillion and freshman Sadie McClain. While the girls are working hard in practice, the best way to improve their skills is hand-to-hand, live action. “ S ome g irls w ill have 30 matches this season, and some may have 20,” said Bushong. “I’d like to get 15 to 20 bouts for our girls. At this point, I’d be very
Tattoo artist Alain Bravo prepares a client for a tattoo.
Members of the Warwick girls’ wrestling team are (from left) Sadie McClain, Lily Sell, Shannon English and Kori Elle McMillion.
happy to have one qualify for the sectional (opening round of the postseason) tournament. Ideally, I’d like to have some qualify for states, but I have to be realistic. Most of them are just brand new and giving it a shot.” During this past offseason, the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) sanctioned girls’ wrestling as a varsity sport. That decision paved the way for a girls’ wrestling postseason, including the individual state championship tournament at Hershey’s Giant Center on Thursday to Saturday,
March 7 to 9. Warwick will compete at the Lancaster-Lebanon League girls’ wrestling tournament at Manheim Township High School on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 26 and 27. “We haven’t won a whole lot of individual bouts yet,” said Bushong. “Girls’ wrestling is the fastest-growing sport in the country and Pennsylvania is behind all of its neighboring states. It’s just starting to take off in Pennsylvania. It’s catching on. I think over the next couple of years Pennsylvania will become one of the powers.”
Don’t distract the dog! Service animal etiquette shared BY ANN MEAD ASH
It started with a Facebook post that alerted readers as to what to do if approached by a lone dog in a service vest. The post advised following the dog because the canine’s person might be in trouble. While the advice seemed reasonable, suspicion of such posts alerted this feature writer to seek an opinion from the staff of United Disabilities Services (UDS) service dog program. Puppy coordinator Kristy Conrad confirmed that the
See Warriors pg 5
advice is good. “If a service dog is separated from their person, that should be a reason for concern,” she stated. “If (the dog) turns around to take you, you should follow because the person could be in trouble,” added service dog program manager Lori Breece. These answers led to discussion of general service dog etiquette that respects the dog’s owner or handler - things we should all be aware of when we see a dog working in public. UDS service dogs wear colored vests See Service dogs pg 4
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“Girls’ wrestling is the fastest-growing sport in the country.”