FLIP THE
SCRIPT All-girls wrestling team hits the mat at Jefferson
C
by Anuj Khemka
rouched, hands ready to react, junior Brianna Ta rocks back and forth, looking for an opening. Suddenly, her eyes flicker up with promise, and she lunges forward at her opponent’s knees. Within seconds, he’s on the ground, locked in Ta’s taut grip. Pushing up on the gym floor, he attempts to power his way out of her grasp, but it’s to no avail. Ta adapts her position, masterfully countering her opponent’s every move, and before long, it’s over. Hesitantly, her opponent taps his hand and Ta stands up triumphant, one arm raised high in the air
by the presiding ref. For Ta, who placed third in the conference last year and was deemed by coach Charles Phillips as one of the best in her weightclass in the country, such victories are commonplace. However, most girls struggle to find success in co-ed wrestling, the only form of the sport found at most high schools today.
NE W T E A M
In response to this issue, Jefferson is now fielding an all-girl’s team as well, which will ensure that female wrestlers do not have to wrestle their male counterparts if they don’t want to.
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