DANE FUELLING
WZBD.com
It may only be day two of the girls wrestling season in Indiana, but Tuesday’s practice has been months (and really, years) in the making.
New head coach Elly Kuzma has recruited a team that has everyone around the program excited for what the inaugural season will hold.
Kuzma, who wrestled in Michigan before joining the Indiana Tech program, came to Decatur after learning from two pioneers in Bellmont wrestling – Trinity Coyne and Andrea Hernandez. The former state placers blazed their own trails years ago before anyone had given much serious thought to starting a girls-only team.
Monday, 17 girls took the mat for the first official practice in the new era under the watchful eye of the state portraits of Coyne and Hernandez, and all the Bellmont greats on the boys’ side, on the wall.
More importantly, they all came back for the second day of practice. Kuzma noted to WZBD that every single girl who has come out for the team took the opportunity to train in the preseason and learn more about the sport.
While two freshmen are part of this year’s team after wrestling at the middle school last year, the rest are basically newcomers.
Many had considered the sport before, but they weren’t sold until they met coach Kuzma in a call-out meeting. The rest has been a collective effort.
“We’ve had so many girls who weren’t sure about whether the sport was right for them,” noted Kuzma. “What I appreciate most is that we had girls who came out and tried. Some decided not to come back, but I appreciate each one who tried.”
The positive side for Kuzma and her Braves is that the 17 girls she has are committed and already learning and improving.
“We are fairly confident that this group of girls is committed for the whole season and we think we will fill at least 12 weight classes.”
Kuzma noted that they may even have the depth to shift girls up in weight to fill a 13th class. The team is still in search of a competitor who could wrestle at the lightest weight (100).
While there were plenty who doubted the project and its long-term sustainability, Kuzma told WZBD that the reaction from school officials and the community has been tremendous.
“We have 16 girls who did not play a winter sport last year. This is not something that is taking girls from other sports, it’s bringing more girls into an athletic program.”
The Braves will wrestle a full schedule and WZBD will be there to bring wrestling fans all the coverage they have come to expect for wrestling teams in Adams County, with full coverage from November all the way to January and the State Finals.
Those interested in supporting the fledgling program can contact the team’s Facebook page or contact the BHS athletic department. The team is participating in a poinsettia fundraiser and also asking for weight class sponsors.
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