Female wrestling team readying for upcoming season
Female wrestling team readying for upcoming season
Posted Nov. 1, 2022
Cub Reporter
As fall sports begin to play their final games, the David Douglas girls’ wrestling team takes action for the upcoming 2022-23 season.
Pre-season wrestling began Sept. 26th where new and recurring wrestlers can get themselves accustomed to the flow of practice. It is from 3-4:30pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays in the south gym wrestling room. A physical must be provided before joining pre-season practices.
The girls' wrestling team will also have a one day clinic run by head coach Tara WIlliams and 2021 graduate and assistant coach Fatuma Hussian. The clinic is on Nov. 1 from 3-5 p.m. Registration is required to attend.
Girls interested in wrestling are able to understand the basics of the sport with help from experienced coaches and returning members of the sport.
Wrestling was able to complete its season right before COVID affected the US. Nine to 12 female wrestlers competed throughout the 2019-20 season. The following year, wrestling was one of the few sports that were able to compete with CDL guidelines.
“We did not think that we would even be able to wrestle at all but a last minute spring season was added to our schedule,” said Williams. “Which I am grateful for because not every sport has a state tournament or was allowed to compete.”
The 2021-22 season saw an increase in female wrestlers within the team, having 12-15 girls. David Douglas had the largest female wrestling team within their conference and one the biggest teams in Oregon.
Getting prepared for wrestling before the season can help one become a better wrestler in the long run. Cardio is one of the ways that will give new wrestlers a good head start.
“Wrestling matches are only six minutes long unless you win by pin, get pinned, or go into overtime so you really want to focus on short burst movements such as hill spirits and circuit training,” said Williams. “Additionally, the best workout for getting into wrestling shape is actually wrestling which we do during our preseason practices.”
OSAA implements restrictions on how fast someone can drop weight within wrestling. Healthy eating habits are much more favored than quick weight loss plans. There are 14 weight classes, which allows anyone between 100 to 235 pounds to wrestle in the team.
“Wrestling is a dynamic sport and therefore benefits you in a variety of different ways,” said Williams.
Wrestling involves using one’s entire body which can help strengthen muscles one might not use often. Changes within the body can happen much quicker than intense exercise routines. Wrestling is a demanding sport, which can take a toll on one’s mental strength.
“Your mind will want to give up in difficult situations much sooner than your body has actually reached its physical limit,” said Williams. “So we really work on developing mental strength to excel to the next stage in your skill and ability. The DDHS Girls’ Wrestling team is what I would describe in two words: Life changing. There is one thing that David Douglas girl wrestlers have that I have never experienced in any other girls’ team, which is the magical way that our girls use humor and kindness to motivate and uplift each other.”
Female wrestlers work hard from outside the practice rooms by working out on off days, meal prepping for their week, and making sure they are not only learning and improving from their mistakes, but helping their teammates as well.
“Our girls train so hard that it is refreshing to see them bursting out dance moves, cracking jokes, making new friends, and representing our school with dignity out at tournaments and in the community,” said Williams.
Official wrestling season begins Nov. 16. For more information, contact Tara Williams through Google Voice: 503-208-5690, her email tara_williams@ddsd40.org, or by seeing her in the Grad Center.