Girl Wrestler Fights for Respect

By Carlie Wilson

Hearts are pounding as sweat drips to the ground. All eyes set on the two wrestlers on the mat. One, two, three, and the winner is called.

As the only girl wrestler on the RHS team, sophomore McCall Abrams thinks she has what it takes. With support from her friends and family, she knows it will be a successful year.

When basketball try outs came up, sophomore Jake Dansie, a friend of Abrams, convinced her to try out for the wrestling team instead. Once she started wrestling, she loved it.

“I got the concept and I have friends in it,” said Abrams.

It is not easy to be the only girl. Many of the boys don’t feel like they should wrestle her. They think that it is a violation of some sort.

Abrams has proved them wrong and won some of her matches.

She also isn’t cut any slack because she is a girl. The coaches treat her exactly the same as everyone else.

“I get crap, I have to earn their respect then keep it,” said Abrams.

It is hard work to be a wrestler, practice is held every day and also on Saturdays. It is important to not miss any days and stay on top of everything else.

Along with wrestling, Abrams likes basketball and singing. She also enjoys hanging out with her best friends, sophomores Jake Dansie, Jessica Aiello, and Charlie Quintana.

Her friends can only say the best about her. She is a great friend to talk to and is always nice to everyone she meets.

Aiello said, “She is always there for you to listen, she has the funniest stories, and can speak her mind."

Aiello thinks it is great that Abrams is into a guy sport and that she loves it so much.

Abrams knows what she wants and where she is going. She is a strong member of the team and loves wrestling.