Girls Wrestling Starts off their Season

With the winter season underway, the girls’ wrestling team is stepping onto the mats with a mix of excitement, nerves, and a roster full of newcomers. 

For senior wrestler Abby Tuller, what she’s most looking forward to isn’t just competition—it’s watching the new athletes learn a sport that demands discipline and resilience. “A lot of them are coming in with no experience,” Tuller said, “It’ll be cool to see their progress from the beginning to the end.”

This year, her personal goal is simple:  “just to have fun.” In past seasons, she said, the pressure to perform often overshadowed the enjoyment of wrestling. 

Tuller’s path into wrestling began unexpectedly. She first tried the sport in sixth grade when a friend convinced her to tag along to practices. “Her uncle was the coach, so she had to go, and I went with her,” she said. “I liked it more than soccer, so I quit and joined wrestling.”

Due to wrestling’s unique nature, Tuller describes the type of person who should join the sport: “You really have to be technically good, conditioned well, and have a strong mindset,” she said. “If you want to push yourself and your capabilities, this is the place.”

Wrestling may look like an individual sport, but team wins depend on each athlete’s performance in their weight class. Pins, points, wins, and major decisions all contribute to overall team scoring. However, Tuller discloses that the team’s small roster makes it hard to compete with larger schools like Buchanan or Golden Valley. “We’re not even big enough to win tournaments,” she said, “we really need more people in the room.”

As for league competition, Tuller said league isn’t the main focus—CIF is. Wrestlers automatically qualify for CIF, where placements determine who advances to Masters and eventually State. She predicts that three or four MBHS wrestlers have a strong chance of qualifying for the Masters this season.

When it comes to mental preparation, Tuller said dual meets bring the most nerves because all eyes are on one mat. Tournaments, with multiple matches happening at once, feel less intimidating. Before competing, she reminds herself not to overthink it, “I’m not going to pursue this professionally,” Tuller said, “it’s supposed to be fun.”

College wrestling isn’t in her plans because there are only a handful of women’s programs, most far from California, and the physical toll is intense. For now, Tuller is focused on helping the team grow and supporting the younger wrestlers who are stepping onto the mat for the first time.

For MBHS girls wrestling, success this year won’t be defined solely by wins and losses. It will be measured in progress, confidence, and the strength found both individually and together.