The 2024-2025 season marks the first year South Hills High School had an all-girls wrestling team. For the first time in South Hills history, girls wrestling had 11 girls qualify for CIF (The California Interscholastic Federation) and three girls qualify for Masters.
Captain Riley Nevarez (11), the only female member on the original South Hills High School wrestling team, explained the significant change in environment with the introduction of an all-girls team.
“A major difference is the sense of community I feel this year being able to have a team of girls supporting me is special,” Nevarez said.
Julianna Perez (12), a first-year wrestler, talked about a challenging aspect of wrestling and how it was difficult to overcome those obstacles. Wrestling’s individual nature sets it apart from team sports, as athletes face and overcome challenges largely on their own.
“The hardest thing about wrestling is losing because there is no one else you can blame but yourself. Losing a match is emotionally, physically, and mentally hard. As a wrestler you have to learn that losing comes with the sport,” Perez said.
Rosalyn Bush (11) discussed how wrestling is a sport that requires constant motivation and shared how her family plays a significant role in inspiring her to strive to do better.
“The hardest thing about wrestling is staying motivated and making weight. My parents inspire me the most to stay motivated and focused,” Bush said.
Chris Lopez, head girls wrestling coach at South Hills shared that a difficult aspect about coaching girls wrestling is helping them overcome the backlash of competing in a male dominated sport.
“Although women wrestling is the fastest growing sport in the United States it still has the stigma of being a brute and male dominated sport. But our girls do a good job of breaking the stigma and are still fierce competitors,” Lopez said.
Riley Nevarez (11) discussed how she anticipates a major positive change in girls’ wrestling in the near future.
“I see girls wrestling becoming a very popular and well liked sport, I see a community of girls coming together for a good sport,” Nevarez said.
