In this episode of "Discovering Grayslake," the host celebrates the achievements of two standout wrestlers from Grayslake Central High School, Gianna and Vince. Gianna, a junior, shares her journey from wrestling boys to forming a girls' team and placing third at state. Vince, a sophomore, reflects on his progression in the sport, finishing second at state this year. The episode highlights the growth of girls' wrestling, the importance of community and coaching support, and the life lessons learned through wrestling. Gianna and Vince's inspiring stories showcase dedication, resilience, and the power of breaking gender barriers in sports.

Celebrating Young Wrestlers: The Inspiring Journeys of Gianna and Vince from Grayslake Central High School

Welcome back to another heartwarming episode of "Discovering Grayslake," where we shine a spotlight on the incredible achievements of our local heroes. In this episode, we delve into the inspiring journeys of two standout wrestlers from Grayslake Central High School: Gianna and Vince. Hosted by our ever-enthusiastic Speaker 1, this episode is a testament to the power of community support, dedication, and breaking barriers in sports.

Meet the Wrestlers: Gianna and Vince

Gianna's Journey Gianna, a junior at Grayslake Central High School, began her wrestling journey in the fourth grade. Her story is one of resilience and breaking gender barriers. During her freshman year, she was the only girl on the boys' varsity lineup. Despite the challenges, she persevered and transitioned to wrestling exclusively against girls in her sophomore year. This year, she achieved a significant milestone by taking third place at the state competition.

Vince's Journey Vince, a sophomore, started wrestling at the age of nine. His journey is marked by continuous improvement and dedication. After taking fourth place last year, he improved to second place this year at the state competition. Vince's story is a testament to the importance of perseverance and hard work.

The Growth of Girls' Wrestling

Gianna's Experience Gianna's experience wrestling boys during her freshman year was challenging but rewarding. With the support of her coach, Joseph, she competed on the boys' lineup. Her father also played a crucial role by becoming the volunteer coach for the girls' team. Together, they worked to recruit more girls, successfully forming a team of 11 girls this year. This marks the first year Grayslake Central had a girls' wrestling team.

The Rapid Growth in Illinois The growth of girls' wrestling in Illinois has been remarkable. Every school in their conference now has a full girls' team, highlighting the rapid expansion and increasing popularity of the sport.

Training and Competition Dynamics

Training with Boys Gianna continues to train with the boys, including Vince, who serves as one of her main practice partners. She believes that training with boys has helped her develop toughness and strength, giving her an edge in competitions against girls.

Vince's Perspective Vince shares his perspective on wrestling Gianna, noting that he has a sister, so he is accustomed to wrestling girls. The host humorously asks who would win in a match between them, to which they both respond that it depends on the day.

Wrestling Backgrounds

Vince's Early Days Vince started at the Grayslake Wrestling Club in fourth grade. Despite setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he continued to train at home with his brother, which helped him improve significantly. By eighth grade, he went undefeated and won the state championship.

Gianna's Early Days Gianna initially joined the sport to support her younger brother. Encouraged by her coaches, she found potential in herself and continued to wrestle at the Lake Zurich Wrestling Club until sixth grade. She then participated in middle school wrestling, where she made it to sectionals and became the first girl in her district's history to qualify for state.

Future Goals and Community Support

Gianna's Aspirations Gianna aims to win a state title next year. She also plans to return to competitive cheer for her senior year, balancing her passion for both sports.

Vince's Aspirations Vince aspires to bring home a state title after finishing second this year. He emphasizes the competitive nature of high school wrestling and the need to continually prove himself.

Community Support The sense of community surrounding the wrestling program is strong. Vince mentions that Warren Nash, another teammate, qualified for state and had a remarkable season after recovering from an ACL injury. Gianna adds that their girls' team was composed of first-year wrestlers, with one girl, Miranda Tellez, coming close to qualifying for state.

Life Lessons from Wrestling

Dedication and Discipline Wrestling teaches dedication and the importance of doing what is necessary to achieve goals, even when it is challenging. The sport requires discipline, as athletes must wake up early for practices and workouts.

College Wrestling Plans Both Gianna and Vince express their desire to continue wrestling in college. Gianna is exploring colleges and keeping an open mind about her choices, while Vince prefers to stay close to home due to family ties.

Influences and Inspirations

Gianna's Mentors Gianna cites Maddy Jones, a former wrestler, as a mentor and supportive figure in her journey. She appreciates his guidance and encouragement, especially during her early days in the sport.

Vince's Role Models Vince reflects on the influence of the Kramer brothers, who were successful wrestlers in the area. He admires their achievements and aspires to follow in their footsteps as he progresses in his wrestling career.

Community and Coaches

Gratitude for Coaches Both wrestlers express gratitude for their coaches. Gianna thanks her early coaches, including Mike and Kyle Zarek, as well as Coach Joseph for his support. Vince mentions his first club coach, August Trexler, and the impact he had on his early wrestling career.

The Role of Community Gianna and Vince appreciate the close-knit nature of the Grayslake community, where everyone supports one another and celebrates each other's accomplishments. The host encourages the community to support local wrestling, whether through attendance at matches or by contributing to wrestling clubs.

Final Thoughts

Encouraging Future Wrestlers Gianna encourages other girls to try wrestling, reassuring them that it’s okay if they don’t enjoy it—at least they will have tried. She emphasizes the importance of breaking down gender barriers and pursuing passions regardless of societal expectations.

Acts of Kindness The host concludes the episode by reminding listeners of the importance of kindness in everyday interactions. They encourage everyone to perform small acts of kindness, reinforcing the idea that even simple gestures can make a significant impact on the world around us.

Conclusion

This episode of "Discovering Grayslake" not only celebrates the achievements of young athletes but also highlights the importance of community support, mentorship, and the courage to challenge societal norms. Gianna and Vince's stories serve as an inspiration for others, demonstrating that with dedication and support, anything is possible.

Stay tuned for more inspiring stories from our wonderful Grayslake community. Until next time, keep supporting each other and spreading kindness wherever you go!