January 2019 | Vol. 19 Iss. 01
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GIRLS BRING ENERGY, NEW PERSPECTIVE TO HILLCREST’S WRESTLING TEAM By Heather Ernst | h.ernst@mycityjournals.com
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uccess for Hillcrest High School’s wrestling has fluctuated over the years. However, there has also been growth and change in recent seasons. The team welcomed new coach Nicholis Pappas, a former Taylorsville High School wrestler this year. Pappas is no rookie to coaching or the wrestling scene, having wrestled since fourth grade and coached junior high the past five years. “I didn’t see myself doing this at first,” Pappas said, “but it’s a passion of mine and I like seeing the kids progress. That’s the cherry on top for me, the reason why I do it.” Pappas brings new goals and motivators for the team coming off a 2017-18 season where they didn’t quite meet their goal of becoming region champions. Pappas recognizes the steps that were made last season in strengthening the team he is now dedicated to coaching. While Hillcrest High’s wrestling has had its fair share of exciting seasons and influential players and coaches, coming into the new year they’re looking to widen their talents. Hillcrest’s new additions give a different face to the boys wrestling team — a female one. Girls wrestling has been around in Utah for a bit, but it has definitely had a slower start with districts like Granite voting to prohibit female wrestling in junior high and high schools in 1997. Nationally, girls wrestling participation has grown from the 2010-11 school year with 7,351 wrestlers to the 2016-17 school year with 14,587 female wrestlers, according to the National Federation of State High School Associations’ participation data. In Utah, there is even a separate state tournament for girls wrestling gaining support. Hillcrest’s boys wrestling team isn’t just welcoming a new coach this year, but also its second season with girls competing on the team. The new coach, who speaks highly of the one female wrestler on their team, Elisa Madison, welcomes the change. “She’s brought a whole different perspective and energy to the team,” Pappas explained. “She has a whole different level of maturity, she keeps us in check.” Madison, a junior at Hillcrest, joined the boys wrestling team last season after seeing a sign at school advertising the team. After speaking to the coach and proving her interest, Madison joined the team and is now competing in her second season. “I was nervous at first,” Madison said. “I didn’t really think I’d stick with it but I met some friends that welcomed me and it made it a lot better.” Madison also said that her nerves made her stronger in competitions. “It made me not want to give up.” Pappas described how the addition Continued on page 4...
Hillcrest has an all-girls wrestling club in its third year at the school. (Hillcrest High wrestling Facebook)
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