As Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) celebrates Women's History Month, two student-athletes are helping highlight the growing impact of girls in the sport of wrestling. Sydnei N. of Germantown High School and Kayleigh A. of White Station High School are part of a new generation of female wrestlers proving that girls belong on the mat. 

Sydnei recently earned 6th place at the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) Wrestling State Championships in the 114-pound weight class, an impressive accomplishment for a sophomore competing against several seniors. Wrestling has been part of her life for years. “My dad is a professional kickboxer, so I’ve been around martial arts my whole life,” Sydnei said. “I started doing jiu-jitsu when I was about three and a half years old. When I found out Germantown had a wrestling team, I wanted to try it. It was something different.” 

Her coach, Matt Wieckowski, said Sydnei stood out early in the season. “She came to practice and immediately showed confidence and athleticism,” Wieckowski said. “By the end of that first practice, I knew she belonged on the team.” Sydnei credits her growth to strong coaching and a supportive team environment. “Coach pushes us to be better every day,” she said. “He’s tough, but he helps us grow as athletes.” 

At White Station High School, Kayleigh has also found success and support through wrestling. “I had a lot of energy, and wrestling became a way for me to channel it,” she said. “The team became like a family.” Her coach, Brenden Rye, said her focus and work ethic set an example for other athletes. “She came in locked in and focused from the start,” Rye said. “She’s someone the younger girls on the team look up to.” 

Participation in girls wrestling continues to grow nationwide. According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, it is one of the fastest growing high school sports in the country, creating new opportunities for female athletes at the collegiate level through programs supported by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. 

“Women’s wrestling is the fastest growing sport in the United States right now,” Wieckowski said. “Colleges are actively looking for female wrestlers, especially athletes who compete at the state level.” For Sydnei, the journey is just beginning. “I’m looking forward to competing again, getting better, and pushing my teammates to reach their goals,” she said. During Women’s History Month, athletes like Sydnei and Kayleigh represent the determination and confidence shaping the future of girls wrestling in Memphis-Shelby County Schools. 

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