Although some people think of wrestling as a guys sport, female athletes such as senior Jasmine Swedenburg don’t let that stop them from taking part. She and her teammates are determined to change the stereotype.

Training hard, drinking protein three times a week and eating lean meats like chicken are part of a routine these competitors use to get stronger and keep up their metabolism.

“Wrestlers have to think about a lot of things to be good at it,” Swedenburg said. “I enjoy being part of the sport because I like the intensity and being able to have control on the mat. Like, you can be physical without being physical. It’s kind of a mind thing.”

Swedenburg joined the wrestling team because all of her friends were involved, but she began to like it because she was thin, which helps her be a better wrestler.

“You actually don’t have to be strong or big bodied for this sport,” Swedenburg said.” It’s more about if your mind is into the match. Then you’ll be able to win.”

To train each day, wrestlers are given a partner which is determined by their weight. So, if one athlete weighs 138, their partner will weigh roughly the same. They also do mat drills, lift weights and run to keep up their intensity.

“It’s definitely more challenging for girls to train,” Swedenburg said. “Guys naturally have lots of strength, but girls have to build that same momentum. The type of training we do is meant for boys, so girls have to push it up a notch to level out with them.”

For wrestlers, preparing for a competition is like preparing for a test. Although they don’t earn a grade at each meet, the results of each contest let athletes know how to better prepare for the future. The night before each meet, the team must get a good night’s rest, drink plenty of water and eat a dinner containing lots of vegetables.

“This helps us be our best at competitions, which are actually very upbeat,” Swedenburg said. “When most people watch us, it may look like we are hurting each other, but it’s not like that at all. Although the contests are harsh, they’re also regulated like any other sport, such as a dance or cheer.”

Endurance is another thing wrestlers must work on. When they go into a match they have to concentrate on their opponent and have the mental ability to stay focused.

“It can get intense,” senior Emery Stiles said. “By working out, you get to see your body change and improve, and that makes me feel good about myself.”

Stiles said she joined wrestling because she wanted to regularly workout. Although she used to play basketball, volleyball and tennis, she said working out in those sports seemed easy compared to wrestling.

“For me, the hardest part is not wanting to give up,” Swedenburg said. “It gets tiring and it’s hard because you can’t stop working out. The training is rigorous. It gets to the point where you want to say ‘I’m done,’ but you have to be strong and put your mind to it. It becomes easier each day.”