Girls wrestling off to a strong start at HHS

By Phil Monson

As Emily Zaugg stood up at center mat, the referee grabbed her arm and lifted it straight up, declaring the Humboldt High School junior the winner of her wrestling match.
It was the first round of the girls’ division of the Fort Dodge tournament on Dec. 21. Zaugg is one of 17 girls who are trying the sport at HHS, the first year the school is offering it as a team sport.
Zaugg won all three of her matches on the day to finish first in her division.
“It’s really fun to be part of something new. It’s really nerve wracking to step out on the mat and it’s just you and your opponent with everybody in the gym watching. But not many people will do it so you have to be proud of yourself for getting out there and competing,” Zaugg said.
“The early morning practices before school and then basketball after school – it’s tough doing two sports the same time, but you just have to manage your time really well and be strict with yourself, but it helps to have other girls there in the mornings doing the same thing,” Zaugg said.
“Wrestling is tough. It’s just you and the opponent out there on the mat. It’s a tough, mental sport. You have to really believe in yourself,” Zaugg said.
Humboldt head coach Chad Beaman and his assistants, Justin McDaniel and Luke Satern, welcome the opportunity to coach the new girls program.
“We are off to an outstanding start with our girls team this year. We started with 14 and have grown to 17,” Beaman said. “Even though they are part of the boys’ team and a part of the Iowa High School Athletic Association (boys), we have treated them as a complete girls team.”
“We have separate practices and only compete girls versus girls. The Fort Dodge meet was our fourth opportunity this year to compete with girls,” Beaman said.
Wildcat senior Mady Lange won his weight class and junior Kendal Clark was first in her division. Others competing on the day for Humboldt were Ashlyn Sutterfield, Tia Woeste, Baylie Beers, Maria Elizondo and Bre Hotovec.

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