Kenzlie Crain '25 Recruiting Profile

In 7th grade, when my best friend told me that we should try wrestling, I told her that she was crazy and that it was for boys. Now, 5 years later, I can't imagine my life without my sport. Wrestling has pushed me to be the absolute best version of myself physically, mentally, and emotionally. After I decided to give it a shot, I realized on the first day of practice that we were the only 2 girls between middle school and high school. It was terrifying. That season, I didn't win one single match. Now, at the conclusion of my sophomore year, there were almost 20 girls in the wrestling room every day and I placed in state. At my school, this is a program that I helped start and that just makes my passion for it even stronger.

One of my favorite aspects of wrestling is that you can't ever just stop improving. There will always be something that you could've done better and something to practice for the next tournament. I've had plenty of tough matches and losses, but honestly, I learn so much more from a difficult loss than an 11 second pin. I've learned to take everything that happens in my wrestling career as an opportunity to make myself better for the next time. Whatever comes next, whether it's another tournament, dual, camp, or even the next season, I constantly remind myself to learn what I need to learn and better myself for the next time.