Determination Fuels Novice Wrestlers

Sammy and Jenna wrestled for Collegiate’s Cub team, which finished its season in February. As novice wrestlers, they were often matched against much more experienced male opponents.

“It was a little challenging and I had to work hard to keep up,” Sammy said. “Every practice was sweaty and tiring, but I enjoyed it.”

Jenna also relished practices and the special camaraderie the team shared.

“Boys joke around a lot more and I like that,” she said. “One thing I was really appreciative of was that my team didn't treat me differently because I'm a girl.”

Both girls’ grit impressed head coach Andrew Vigne.

“They showed a great deal of heart and determination,” he said. “They were positive members of the team and two of our hardest workers.”

With each match, the girls’ confidence grew. A strong defensive wrestler, Jenna proved to be tough to pin. Her most impressive match came at the team’s year-end tournament when she went on the offensive against a competitor from Cape Henry Collegiate School and halted the match in under 30 seconds with a mean half nelson.

Unfortunately for Sammy, her best performance ended with a serious injury that kept her off the mat. Still, her desire to compete never wavered and she continued to attend practice and support her teammates.  

“Even though my season ended with a dislocated elbow, I still loved being a wrestler,” she said, “and I plan on continuing on to JV next year as a freshman.”

As for Coach Vigne, he is excited about the potential of the duo, who he calls two of the best teammates a coach could ask for.

“I look forward to seeing how they continue to grow as wrestlers over the next few years,” he said.