Chloe Brookbank: Jennings girls wrestling program grows as 2 make state

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Jennings County High School has officially added its first girls only wrestling team to the school’s athletics program this year, and two Panther wrestlers competed in the state tournament on Friday in Martinsville.

Both Bresa Coan and Harlie Winningham competed in the state tournament for JCHS in the 250 and 195 weight classes respectively. (Results were not available before The Republic’s advance deadline but can be found online at therepublic.com.)

Winningham, a sophomore, said, “I think it’s an amazing opportunity to be one of the first official girl wrestlers to go to state. My team is always right there cheering me on and supporting me at all times.”

Sophomore Sasha Hicks also qualified for state but as an injury alternate, meaning if someone in her weight class couldn’t compete, she would step up in their place.

On Jan. 6, the JCHS girls wrestling team participated in the Franklin Community Regionals, held by Indiana High School Girls Wrestling.

There were a total of 100 participants from 40 Indiana high schools. The state held four regionals, with the top four finishers from each regional qualifying for the state championships.

A total of 224 girls competed for state championships, up from last year’s total of 168 at the state finals.

Girl’s wrestling is is one of the fastest growing sports at the scholastic and collegiate levels in Indiana and the U.S.

“Last year we had one girl wrestler for our school, so it has been amazing to see the growing interest in wrestling from the young women of our community,” said assistant wrestling coach Charles Woolf. “We are offering opportunities for athletic and character development for our younger woman in America while also growing the sport of wrestling.”

Chloe Brookbank is a student at Jennings County High School. Send comments to [email protected]

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