Mrs. Dakota Hargrave-LaMaack is currently the women's wrestling team head coach at Wilton Jr/Sr High School.  The Wilton Girls Wrestling team started in 2022. Hargrave-LaMaack is accompanied by Shane Boorn.  What follows is a Q&A session with Coach Hargrave-LaMaack:

Lopez:  First thoughts about the girls team? 

Hargrave-LaMaack:  "When girls wrestling was sanctioned for the 2022-2023 season, I was excited because girls now had the opportunity to explore a new sport. That was never an option while I was a student-athlete here at WHS. Wilton is known around the state for having a successful boys' wrestling program, and now our girls' team has the opportunity to also be known for wrestling."

Lopez:  What are your thoughts on how the past two seasons have gone?

Hargrave-LaMaack: "The past two seasons have been filled with a lot of learning, fun, and successes—both large and small. To think of how far each girl has come since they started their first year of wrestling is incredible. It's exciting to be a part of their growth and witness it in person."

Lopez:  What are the pros and cons of being the head coach? 

Hargrave-LaMaack: "A big "pro" for me as a head coach is getting to see the progress each athlete makes from one season to the next. The amount of confidence and strength the girls gain from the sport is amazing. We're a tight-knit group who work hard and have fun in the room at practices. "Con" of being the head coach for wrestling specifically is all of the behind-the-scenes work that needs to be completed before and after each competition with Trackwrestling. I'd hate for one of my athletes to not be able to compete due to a clerical error.”

Lopez:  Are you looking forward to this upcoming season?

Hargrave-LaMaack:  "I'm looking forward to having more numbers on the team this year. More wrestlers means more practice partners, more camaraderie, and enables us to be even more competitive in duals."

Lopez: What has surprised you?

Hargrave-LaMaack:  "I knew the team was filled with hard workers, but they surprised me with exactly how hard they're willing to work. Wrestling practices are no cake walk, and the girls do not take them lightly!"

Lopez:  Favorite memory?                     

Hargrave-LaMaack: "There are too many to tell, and many more to come!"