Cedar Rapids Washington girls’ wrestling about more than wins and losses

CEDAR RAPIDS — Four girls suited up for the Cedar Rapids Washington wrestling team Thursday night for a dual with Dubuque Hempstead.

The result was predictable, a 72-6 loss to the Mustangs.

But losing and winning on the mat is secondary right now in this program.

Coach Ken Klein wants these Warriors to make this season memorable, and he believes they have the potential to do just that.

“At the end of the year, they are going to tell you this is the best thing they did all year,” Klein said. “That’s all we can ask for. They are in it for the right reasons.”

What the Warriors lack in wrestlers, they make up for in heart.

“The girls that wrestled tonight want to get better,” Klein said.

Sophomore Shelbi Novak knows the sport of wrestling creates a sense of drive and not giving up — even when it’s tough.

“You have to be strong and want to win,” Novak said. “If you don’t want to win, then you are definitely not going to. It takes practice to keep pushing, even when you want to quit.”

Novak has been involved in numerous sports throughout her lifetime, like swimming, track and field, boxing and soccer — to name just a few.

That previous athletic experience is put to the test on the wrestling mat.

“Wrestling is physically, extremely hard,” Novak said. “When you are tired and want to give up, it’s so tempting. It’s hard to build up that mentality of not giving up, but it can be done.”

Junior Alex Cherry started wrestling for the Warriors as a joke and with some encouragement from a friend.

She quickly fell in love with the sport.

“I asked my best friend on the boys’ team if I should do it, and he told me I should,” Cherry said. “After trying wrestling, I’ve fallen in love with it.”

According to Trackwrestling, the Warriors have eight girls listed on their roster. With a small, but mighty team, Washington has developed a close-knit environment.

The small team has made Cherry feel supported, on and off the mat.

“I definitely appreciate having someone in the corner for me,” Cherry said. “I think the best thing about the team is just the support with everybody.”

One of the qualities of the Warriors’ girls’ wrestling team is their unique mindset.

Mondays have become a favorite day for Klein. He implemented “Mindset Mondays.” These days are about taking life lessons and applying them to wrestling.

It’s been a different experience adding these into the Warriors’ practice schedule, but it’s starting to have a big impact on the wrestlers.

“It’s all about the psychology of life,” Klein said. “Then, we apply it to wrestling. It’s been a real positive change.”

For any girl who is on the fence about trying the sport, especially those wearing the Washington red and blue, now’s the time.

Take it from Cherry.

“I think they should go for it,” Cherry said. “It’s a really great experience. It shows who you are and toughens you up a lot.”