The 2024-2025 wrestling season looks a little different at Sterling High School as it is the first year for the girl wrestlers to be on their own team. The girls are led by team captains seniors Alize Gomez and Noelani Ibarra and coach Nolan Baker.
Captain and senior Alize Gomez stated, “I feel honored to be captain this year and I’m really excited we finally achieved our goal of having a girls team. Watching the girls put in hard work in the room. I can’t wait to see how far we go as a team.”
Gomez’s coach shares her excitement.
Baker said, “Girls wrestling is the fastest growing sport in the United States, and each year the IHSA is creating more and more opportunities for girls to compete against other girls. I’m proud to say that Sterling High School is establishing itself a leader in that area this season with such a high turnout for our girls team. With 16+ athletes on the team, you’d have to drive about an hour in any direction to find a girls’ program with the numbers we have. We have a good mix of new wrestlers and experienced wrestlers that are coming back from last season, so I’m excited to see what they’re able to do.”
The girls are all excited to have their own team this year. Instead of practicing with the boys, they get to have their own space in the wrestling room, not having to share with the boys.
Senior Addison Robbins said, “Having an all girls team is great. It’s an amazing environment and everyone’s very supportive no matter what happens! It’s always a good time.” Robbins believes that having a girls team is an amazing adjustment to the school.
The underclassmen are just as excited as the seniors.
Sophomore Kylie Tate stated, “I feel good, I feel like adding a girls team was a good decision overall because it allows our girls to learn and grow throughout the season.” Tate feels that adding the girls team is going to have a great outcome.
The girls and coaches are looking forward to making many accomplishments this season.
Baker states, “I’m looking forward to our athletes getting lots of chances to compete and showcase the gains they have made since last season. Those wrestlers who put in work over the off-season and made sacrifices in their training will see that hard work pays off!”
This season, Baker wants the team to achieve great accomplishments and to have all their hard work pay off.
S.H.S. principal Jason Austin feels that “Sterling High School is excited to offer girls wrestling at Sterling High School. The response to this expanded IHSA offering has been fantastic and we are excited to see the success of all Sterling High School wrestlers on the mats this winter.”
Our girls are going to have a great first season, with many more to hopefully come. They will kick off their season with their first meet on November 27.
