The Sycamore High School girls wrestling team is full of heart, says Lady War Eagles coach Raymond Bass. Photo courtesy of Meri Crisp When Sycamore High School sophomore Caitlyn Gilmore was looking to recruit some new members for the girls wrestling team, she designed an eye-catching poster.
The poster read, “Invented by Boys, Perfected by Girls.”
Gilmore said she wanted to grab the attention of potential team members and let them know that girls at Sycamore are making waves in the male-dominated sport.
Sycamore has enjoyed much success with its girls wrestling team since it started seven years ago.
Several girls have advanced to the state wrestling tournament, and Sycamore has even produced one state champion and a few others have medaled.
Coach Raymond Bass said this year’s 11-member team – which he has nicknamed G.L.O.W. (Glamorous Ladies of Wrestling) – has been enjoyable to lead.
“They bring a different flavor to the sport. They listen well and are very attentive to detail. They are a tenacious group and go-getters,” he said.
Bass said he enjoys watching the tight-knit group of girls learn the sport and reach their goals.
“Regardless if it’s the girls or boys team, if they do a move that I taught them, I think I get more excited about that than anything else,” he said.
Bass added he has high expectations with this year’s squad.
“I would love for these ladies to bring home a team trophy from the state tournament in February,” he said.
Last year’s team finished sixth in the state with only three girls competing, but Bass hopes to fare better this year with a much larger team.
Sycamore is the only high school in Cheatham County with a girls wrestling team. However, a handful of Middle Tennessee schools have them and that’s who the Lady War Eagles compete against.
Many of the girls have their own reasons for wanting to wrestle. For some, it was because their fathers or brothers wrestled in school, while others were looking to try something new.
Junior Nena Chrestman, who has finished third in the state the past two seasons, said she enjoys wrestling because of the special bond she shares with her teammates.
“It’s just not what everybody thinks it is. It’s just not about going out there and trying to beat someone during a match. It’s about family, too,” she said.
After competing in her first state tournament as a freshman, Chrestman said she enjoyed her experience so much that she remains focused on her ultimate goal of winning a state title.
Freshman Lilly Pendleton said there are some people who believe it’s just not right for girls to wrestle and they are not taken seriously.
“I just laugh if off when I hear that,” she said.
Freshman Bonnie Hudgins said a different side of her comes out when she’s wrestling.
“People tell me I’m the sweetest person they know and I can’t hurt anyone. When I started wrestling, they told me I couldn’t. I wasn’t going to let them get to me and I was going to prove them wrong,” she said. “I love the feeling I get when I win … I feel good about myself, knowing I can do it.”
Even though some people may not believe in the girls, team members said Coach Bass is always there for them and cheering them on.
“He believes in us and that helps us,” said sophomore Nikki Maynard.
The poster read, “Invented by Boys, Perfected by Girls.”
Gilmore said she wanted to grab the attention of potential team members and let them know that girls at Sycamore are making waves in the male-dominated sport.
Sycamore has enjoyed much success with its girls wrestling team since it started seven years ago.
Several girls have advanced to the state wrestling tournament, and Sycamore has even produced one state champion and a few others have medaled.
Coach Raymond Bass said this year’s 11-member team – which he has nicknamed G.L.O.W. (Glamorous Ladies of Wrestling) – has been enjoyable to lead.
“They bring a different flavor to the sport. They listen well and are very attentive to detail. They are a tenacious group and go-getters,” he said.
Bass said he enjoys watching the tight-knit group of girls learn the sport and reach their goals.
“Regardless if it’s the girls or boys team, if they do a move that I taught them, I think I get more excited about that than anything else,” he said.
Bass added he has high expectations with this year’s squad.
“I would love for these ladies to bring home a team trophy from the state tournament in February,” he said.
Last year’s team finished sixth in the state with only three girls competing, but Bass hopes to fare better this year with a much larger team.
Sycamore is the only high school in Cheatham County with a girls wrestling team. However, a handful of Middle Tennessee schools have them and that’s who the Lady War Eagles compete against.
Many of the girls have their own reasons for wanting to wrestle. For some, it was because their fathers or brothers wrestled in school, while others were looking to try something new.
Junior Nena Chrestman, who has finished third in the state the past two seasons, said she enjoys wrestling because of the special bond she shares with her teammates.
“It’s just not what everybody thinks it is. It’s just not about going out there and trying to beat someone during a match. It’s about family, too,” she said.
After competing in her first state tournament as a freshman, Chrestman said she enjoyed her experience so much that she remains focused on her ultimate goal of winning a state title.
Freshman Lilly Pendleton said there are some people who believe it’s just not right for girls to wrestle and they are not taken seriously.
“I just laugh if off when I hear that,” she said.
Freshman Bonnie Hudgins said a different side of her comes out when she’s wrestling.
“People tell me I’m the sweetest person they know and I can’t hurt anyone. When I started wrestling, they told me I couldn’t. I wasn’t going to let them get to me and I was going to prove them wrong,” she said. “I love the feeling I get when I win … I feel good about myself, knowing I can do it.”
Even though some people may not believe in the girls, team members said Coach Bass is always there for them and cheering them on.
“He believes in us and that helps us,” said sophomore Nikki Maynard.
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