A new dawn for girls’ wrestling at North Linn

TROY MILLS – The stage is the North Linn Community School District boardroom. The scene is the Lynx girls’ wrestling practice.

It’s a new show in town with trailblazing sophomore Irys Benesch and freshman Alexis Williams leading the team, alongside veteran North Linn wrestling coach Brad Bridgewater and assistant coach Justin Kress.

One of the “wins” the program has experienced in its beginning is being supported by the community. For Williams, it’s making this a special experience.

“It’s amazing to be part of the first team at North Linn,” Williams said. “The most rewarding part of it is seeing everyone in the community be so excited for us. Everyone is always asking questions about how the season is going and when meets are.

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“Everyone is so dedicated and taking advantage of this opportunity.”

The opportunity to compete in high school girls’ wrestling is something Benesch has considered heavily for the past few years. When the possibility of starting a Lynx girls’ program became a reality, Benesch knew she wanted to be part of it.

“I’ve always had an interest in wrestling,” Benesch said. “When someone came to me and said we might be starting a program, I was immediately into it and was so excited. I had so much hope and was praying that we would get a team up and running.

“It means a lot to be on the team, and I’m beyond grateful for the opportunity.”

One of the biggest proponents in the Lynx having their own girls’ team was Bridgewater, who started coaching wrestling at North Linn as an assistant in 1998, before serving as the boys’ head wrestling coach from 2000-2019. He is now heading up two wrestling programs for the Lynx – the middle school boys’ team and the high school girls’ team.

Having coached wrestling for decades, Bridgewater is even learning some new things with his new program.

“The girls listen so much better than the boys,” Bridgewater said, joking. “The girls also don’t have any bad habits to correct yet, because everything is new and they are learning. But, we really do have a great group of girls. I’m excited to keep going.”

While Bridgewater is in the corner coaching the Lynx, Benesch wants to be a great teammate, especially for those who are trying this sport for the first time.

For her, it’s bigger than wrestling and why she always is encouraging her teammates during practices and competitions.

“I think everyone deserves to have someone on their side,” Benesch said. “Some people may never experience that. I want them to know people are by their side. It’s super important to be loud and encouraging.

“Mental toughness is really important in sports, especially this one.”

That mantra speaks to the team’s culture. It’s seen in a sign hanging on the wall of the temporary girls’ wrestling room and heard in their post-practice chant – “Together, for her.”

“We are a very supportive group,” Williams said. “Everyone wants to do their best. We have a motto, ‘We before me.’ I think everyone applies that to wrestling with this team.”

For the team, it’s about getting better throughout the season, regardless of what records may show.

“I’m not really looking at winning every match,” Benesch said. “I’m not always going to have good matches. I want to better myself, learn from it, and work on what I can control.”

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As for Bridgewater’s goals on the year, it’s rather simple.

“If we can get some kids to love the sport, want to come back, and support their teammates, then, we are having success,” Bridgewater said.

Those are just Bridgewater’s basics.

In the grand scheme of things, it’s about personal development and setting the wrestlers up for success after their careers on the wrestling mat.

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“I want the girls to have confidence when going into a boardroom,” Bridgewater said. “Wrestling teaches you that. You are the only person in charge when you are in the center of the mat. We want those girls to have the same confidence when walking into an interview, as they do when they wrestle.”