Angola Girls Wrestlers Advance to Regionals
Three members of the Angola High School girls wrestling team have qualified for the regional competition, which will take place this Saturday in Plymouth. Seniors Emily and Amelia, along with sophomore Hazelynn, earned their spots after strong performances at sectionals.
Girls high school wrestling continues to grow across Indiana, and Angola’s program has been part of that progress from the beginning. Head Coach Tingley has seen the sport evolve rapidly over the past several years.
“Girls high school wrestling has been around for a while, even before I took over,” said Coach Tingley. “However, four years ago the IHSAA recognized it as an emerging sport, and last year it became a fully recognized sport.”
Angola’s girls wrestling program began with just six athletes four years ago and has more than doubled in size, now boasting a roster of 13. Coach Tingley noted that the sport’s growth has been reflected not only in participation but also in the venues hosting competitions. What once took place in small gyms has grown to state finals held at the Indianapolis Fairgrounds.
Seniors Emily and Amelia have been part of the program since their freshman year and have helped lead the team’s development. The athletes emphasized that the close-knit relationships within the team set wrestling apart from other sports.
“I’ve been part of other sports teams, but the relationships here are different—stronger,” said Hazelynn. “We do everything together, including hanging out after practice and having sleepovers.”
Amelia added that the mental challenges of the sport bring the team closer together, as they support one another through demanding practices and matches.
When asked about the toughest part of girls' wrestling, Emily laughed before answering, “The matches.” She went on to explain that while every aspect of the sport is challenging, wrestling has taught her an important lesson. “Having support is great, but at the end of the day, the only person who can get you through it is yourself.”
The team heads into regionals with momentum. Emily and Amelia each placed second in their respective weight classes, while Hazelynn earned a third-place finish. The respect, excitement, and camaraderie between the athletes and their coach were evident as they spoke about their experiences and passion for the sport.
With a strong foundation and continued growth, Angola’s girls wrestling team is poised for continued success. Best of luck to these athletes as they compete at regionals this weekend.