RECAP: AAU WRESTLING GRAND NATIONALS
2017-06-19
A handful of female wrestlers put their skills to the test against the boys at the AAU Scholastic Duals.
ORLANDO, Fla (June, 19,2017) - Some 1,100 wrestlers flooded the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at the Walt Disney World Resort last week to compete in the annual AAU Scholastic Duals. Among these wrestlers were also a handful of female wrestlers.
While some may find this surprising, these girls were eager about the opportunity to show their skills against some of the best wrestlers in the country.
Shawnylle Sutton of Mad Dawg Wrestling talked about the level of competition, “You get more experience and you go out here against these guys and it’s a lot harder but it makes you a lot better when you go back to wrestling girls.”
Marissa of the Lakeland Wild Things added about the AAU Scholastic Duals, “It’s really fun, I enjoy the competition. And it’s fun to throw the boys around a little bit!” She continued, “This shows it’s not just a male sport and girls can get out there and do the same thing they can.”
Nicole McMaster of Columbiana Wrestling Club found satisfaction in the other wrestlers underestimating her, “Guys always think that when you walk out there with them that it’s going to be an easy match. When you give them that fight that they weren’t expecting, it really helps boost your confidence.”
All of the female wrestlers advocated for the benefits of wrestling on and off the mat and how more people should try the sport.
Shawnylle said, “I think more girls should wrestle because it gives you a sense of identity and confidence to be a female wrestler.”
Nicole said, “Wrestling has helped me with a lot of things. Just because of the fact that you get to understand yourself better and no matter what happens if you set your mind to it you can do it.”
At the AAU, we are thrilled to have these amazing young women compete in our wrestling events and we hope more follow their lead. They are the embodiment of the AAU’s motto, “Sports for All, Forever.”
While some may find this surprising, these girls were eager about the opportunity to show their skills against some of the best wrestlers in the country.
Shawnylle Sutton of Mad Dawg Wrestling talked about the level of competition, “You get more experience and you go out here against these guys and it’s a lot harder but it makes you a lot better when you go back to wrestling girls.”
Marissa of the Lakeland Wild Things added about the AAU Scholastic Duals, “It’s really fun, I enjoy the competition. And it’s fun to throw the boys around a little bit!” She continued, “This shows it’s not just a male sport and girls can get out there and do the same thing they can.”
Nicole McMaster of Columbiana Wrestling Club found satisfaction in the other wrestlers underestimating her, “Guys always think that when you walk out there with them that it’s going to be an easy match. When you give them that fight that they weren’t expecting, it really helps boost your confidence.”
All of the female wrestlers advocated for the benefits of wrestling on and off the mat and how more people should try the sport.
Shawnylle said, “I think more girls should wrestle because it gives you a sense of identity and confidence to be a female wrestler.”
Nicole said, “Wrestling has helped me with a lot of things. Just because of the fact that you get to understand yourself better and no matter what happens if you set your mind to it you can do it.”
At the AAU, we are thrilled to have these amazing young women compete in our wrestling events and we hope more follow their lead. They are the embodiment of the AAU’s motto, “Sports for All, Forever.”
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