As the winter sports season approached, flyers were posted around Slinger High School. In a way, it was a plea to come to the cafeteria on November 11 at 6:30 p.m. if you want to make history.
It was the beginning of the first-ever girls wrestling team.
"I knew I had some work ahead of me if we were going to make this a team," admitted Owls Head Wrestling Coach Carlo Davila. "We started with two girls, so I came up to the lunch room and made some flyers. I visited every table during the lunch period, looking for girls who wanted to make history. It's the first time that they come out and have their own wrestling practice times, having their own team."
The original two girls certainly provide a solid foundation for a new team. They have shown dedication and passion for the sport. Sophomore Brianna Gehring has been wrestling since the sixth grade, and returns for her fifth season. She is the first female from Slinger High School to place at the WIAA High School State Wrestling Tournament. Gehring placed fifth last season. Tatiana Campos brings three years of experience and is also loaded with talent. Both were nominated to be the first captains of the Slinger High School girls wrestling team.
"Having that opportunity to go out and start, essentially being those pioneers that in ten years other girls are going to look back at the first team and be inspired, said Davila, who likes the work ethic of the team and is excited about how they have come together, as one. "I'm trying to get these girls to understand that no matter what the challenge is, we are going to go out there and be us. We are going to celebrate the wins and the opportunity to learn."
There have certainly been many highlights this season, including the Owls first team tournament at West Allis on December 13. Gehring earned first place, Peyton Trushinsky finished fourth while Tatiana Campos wrestled to fifth place.
The Slinger girls wrestling team travels to Whitefish Bay on Friday, February 6 for the North Shore Conference Wrestling Tournament.
