Wrestling has always been the center of my life, and still as a collegiate wrestler. Growing up around the sport, it was inevitable that I would at some point become a referee. I had to find more ways to contribute to the sport I love. I decided to step into the role of a referee in addition to also a coach for youth tournaments when I was 14. This transition from athlete to official has taught me more about integrity and character than I ever could have learned just by competing. My favorite memory from refereeing happened during a local youth tournament. I had been coaching a young girl who was just starting her journey in wrestling. She was nervous because her very first match was against a boy who was older and had more experience. As the referee for that match, I had to remain completely neutral and professional, but inside I was rooting for her to show her strength. The match was intense and went back and forth for several minutes. Finally, she pinned him. The moment I slapped the mat to signal the pin was unforgettable. As I stood them up to announce the winner, I got to be the one to raise her hand in front of the crowd. The look of pure joy on her face was everything. Right after I lowered her hand, she reached up and gave me a huge hug. In that moment, I realized that being a referee is about so much more than just points and rules. It is about creating a fair environment where young athletes can discover what they are capable of achieving. Seeing her confidence explode after that win reminded me why I dedicated my life to sports. Being a referee has strengthened my character in ways I did not expect. It requires a high level of bravery to stand in the middle of a match and make tough calls while parents and coaches are watching your every move. You have to be confident in your knowledge and stay calm under pressure. It has taught me how to communicate clearly and how to handle conflict with grace. These leadership skills are directly related to my career goal of becoming a sports reporter or a director of communications. In those roles, I will need to be a fair and objective storyteller, much like a referee is a fair and objective judge of a match. My future plans for refereeing are to continue staying involved with the youth wrestling community throughout my college career. Even as I work toward my goals on the mat as a competitor myself, I want to keep officiating because it keeps me grounded. I want to help grow the sport of women’s wrestling by being a visible leader that younger girls can look up to. By balancing my studies in sports communications with my responsibilities on the mat, I am building a foundation of leadership and sportsmanship that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

When I moved to Minot, North Dakota to start my freshman year at Minot State and be on the women's wrestling team, I had a very specific vision of what my year would look like. I saw myself under the bright lights of the amazing dome, proving my strength on the mat and representing my school with pride. As a wrestler, you are taught that you can handle anything as long as you stay disciplined. However, my world changed in an instant when I tore both my MCL and ACL. Instead of finishing my first season as a college athlete, I found myself facing a long road of surgery, physical therapy, and a redshirt year. Tearing two major ligaments is a physical trauma, but the mental adversity was almost harder to deal with. I went from being an active competitor to watching my teammates from the sidelines. It would have been easy to feel defeated or to let my grades slip because I was upset about my injury. Instead, I chose to look at this setback through the lens of my career goals. I am a Sports Communications major, and I want to eventually work as a sports reporter or a social media manager for a professional team. Being sidelined gave me a perspective that most athletes never get until their careers are over. The first step I took to stay on track was changing my mindset about what it means to be part of a team. Even though I could not compete, I showed up to practices and events. I started paying closer attention to how our sports information department handled coverage and how the stories of the athletes were told. I realized that my injury did not take away my future in sports. It actually gave me a front row seat to the industry I want to work in. I began focusing on my classes with even more intensity, using the time I would have spent cutting weight or traveling to matches to master the digital tools and communication strategies I will need in the professional world. Bravery is not just about physical toughness on the wrestling mat. It is about waking up every day and doing your physical therapy exercises even when they hurt, and it is about staying focused on your degree when your original plan falls apart. My goal is to become a Director of Communications for a professional organization, and I know that the resilience I am building right now is exactly what will make me successful in that high pressure environment. I am learning how to tell a story of recovery and grit because I am living it myself. This injury forced me to grow up fast, but it did not stop my momentum. I am still a Minot State wrestler, and I am still a future sports professional. I am taking this redshirt year to rebuild my strength and sharpen my mind. By facing this physical adversity head on, I am proving to myself that I have the determination to achieve my dreams regardless of the obstacles in my way.

I have considered myself an underdog for most of my wrestling career, and I have learned to embrace that role rather than shy away from it. Wrestling is not an easy path, especially as a female athlete in a sport that is still growing. From the beginning, I often felt like I had something to prove, not just to others, but to myself. That mindset has shaped the way I approach both wrestling and life. One of the moments where I truly felt like an underdog was transitioning from high school wrestling into college athletics, it was a bigger underdog feeling than being the only female wrestler in the room when I was young. I came from a program where I worked hard and earned captain roles, but stepping into a college room filled with experienced athletes was intimidating. On top of that, during my freshman year at Minot State University, I tore my ACL and MCL and was forced to redshirt my season. Being sidelined while my teammates competed made me feel overlooked and uncertain, especially as a freshman trying to find her place. At times, it felt like everything I had worked for was suddenly out of reach. Instead of letting that setback define me, I chose to embrace it. Wrestling has taught me that progress is not always visible and that growth often happens in uncomfortable moments. During my recovery, I focused on what I could control. I showed up to practices, supported my teammates, and stayed committed to my rehab. I studied the sport more closely, learned from coaches and teammates, and found ways to stay mentally engaged even when I could not compete. That experience strengthened my discipline, patience, and appreciation for the sport. Being an underdog has also fueled my ambition. I have learned how to turn doubt into motivation and setbacks into opportunities to grow. Wrestling demands resilience, and embracing the underdog role has helped me push through moments when quitting would have been easier. It has shaped my mindset as someone who is willing to work harder, stay consistent, and trust the process even when results are not immediate. Beyond my own goals, I have used my experiences as an underdog to help others. Through volunteering and working with younger wrestlers, I try to be the kind of mentor I once needed. I want kids to understand that success does not come from being the strongest or most confident at the start. It comes from effort, persistence, and belief in yourself. Wrestling has given me so much, and giving back to the sport is one of the ways I honor that. Like Coach Frank, I believe in rooting for the underdog because that is often where the hardest workers and strongest hearts are found. I will continue to embrace that role as I pursue my goals in wrestling and beyond, carrying forward the lessons the sport has taught me both on and off the mat.

Sports have always been a central part of my life, not just because of competition, but because of the impact they have on people and communities. I am a freshman at Minot State University, where I am a member of the women’s wrestling team and a sports communications major. Being involved in athletics as both an athlete and a mentor has shaped who I am and has motivated me to give back through youth sports whenever I can. Growing up in wrestling taught me discipline, accountability, and resilience at a young age. As I gained experience in the sport, I realized that the lessons learned on the mat were just as important as the wins and losses. That realization pushed me to get involved in coaching and volunteering with youth wrestling programs, including Swamp Monsters Wrestling Club. While volunteering there, my goal was to give younger athletes a positive role model and create an environment where they felt supported, confident, and excited to learn. I focused on encouraging effort, consistency, and respect for teammates and coaches, while helping athletes build confidence both on and off the mat. As a college athlete, I continue to see how powerful youth sports can be. This past year, I tore my ACL and MCL and had to redshirt my freshman wrestling season. Although the injury was difficult, it strengthened my appreciation for the support systems that sports provide. Coaches, teammates, and mentors played a huge role in keeping me motivated during recovery. That experience reinforced my desire to be that same source of encouragement for younger athletes, especially those who may be struggling or doubting themselves. I plan to continue making a positive impact in my community through youth sports by staying involved in coaching, mentoring, and volunteer opportunities whenever possible. Whether that means helping run practices, working with younger wrestlers one on one, or assisting at tournaments and camps, I want to be present and involved. Youth sports are about more than athletic development. They teach time management, teamwork, and perseverance, skills that carry into every part of life. I want to help young athletes understand their potential and feel supported as they grow. Ambition and drive are values I live by as a student-athlete. Balancing academics, athletics, and community involvement has taught me how to manage my time and stay committed to long term goals. I am ambitious not only for my own future, but also for the impact I hope to make on others. I believe that giving back to youth sports is one of the most meaningful ways to strengthen a community. Through coaching, volunteering, and mentorship, I plan to make a difference by helping the next generation of athletes grow into confident, hardworking, and respectful individuals.

College athletics has shaped who I am as both a student and a person, and it is the space where I hope to build my career. I am currently a freshman at Minot State University, where I am a member of the women’s wrestling team and a sports communications major. My long term goal is to work in sports information as a sports reporter or a social media manager for a professional team, with the hope of eventually taking on a leadership role overseeing communication and media efforts for a team or organization. I want to tell athletes’ stories, build connections between teams and their communities, and help create environments where people feel valued and supported. As an athlete, I understand firsthand how powerful sports communication can be. This past year, I tore my ACL and MCL and had to redshirt my freshman season. While the injury was challenging both physically and mentally, it gave me a new perspective on sports beyond competition. I saw how communication, encouragement, and positivity from coaches, teammates, and athletic staff directly impacted my recovery and motivation. That experience pushed me toward wanting to work behind the scenes in sports, supporting athletes and programs even during difficult moments. The most important skills for success in sports information, in my opinion, are communication, adaptability, organization, and empathy. Being able to clearly tell a story, whether through writing, social media, or media relations, is extremely important. Working in athletics also means being flexible and able to handle pressure in fast paced environments. I am building these skills through my coursework in sports communications, by staying involved with my team during my redshirt year, and by learning from athletic staff and media professionals whenever possible. Wrestling has also taught me discipline, time management, and leadership, which directly apply to a career in sports communication. Beyond skills and experience, I believe kindness and generosity are what truly make someone successful in this field. Throughout high school and college, I have been involved in community service through FFA, school programs, and team volunteer efforts. I have helped with community dinners, donation drives for families affected by wildfires, and youth agriculture education days. As a team captain in high school wrestling, I made it a priority to support younger athletes, create a positive team culture, and lead by example both on and off the mat. Heather Brown’s legacy reflects the type of professional and person I hope to become. I hope to honor her legacy by building a career where I work hard, support others, and bring energy and care into everything I do. This scholarship would help support my education and motivate me to continue pursuing a future in sports information with the same generosity and passion that Heather brought to her work every day.

A career in sports information is all about effectively communicating the excitement, statistics, and stories behind athletic events to the media, fans, and stakeholders. My vision for this career involves working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment where I can combine my passion for sports with strong communication and analytical skills. I aspire to manage media relations, produce compelling content, and ensure accurate reporting of sports data to enhance fan engagement and the visibility of teams and athletes. As an incoming collegiate wrestler and being a member of a sport-crazy family, I have grown up surrounded by hundreds of sporting events. I have written newspaper articles and social media posts regarding game recaps which have helped me refine and convey insights clearly. I have experience managing my schools FFA Instagram and TikTok account, as well as my school and club wrestling teams accounts. Therefore, I will be familiar with managing social media accounts, creating engaging content, and growing an audience. I have attended and created content for live sporting events, gaining hands-on experience in real time reporting and media coordination. I have participated in interviews, attended press conferences, and exposed myself with opportunities to speak in front of large crowds. These experiences have strengthened my ability to communicate effectively, confidently, and accurately. Being a member of leadership classes throughout my education, as well as being a wrestling team captain, and a member of the Growing Leaders committee board for my schools FFA program, I have experience working in team environments which has prepared me to collaborate with coaches, advisors, colleagues, athletes, and media professionals. I plan to pursue coursework in sports communications and journalism in college at Minot State University. I will gain hands on experience with internships in athletic departments, sports teams, or media organizations and companies to gain real-world exposure. I will stay updated by following and practicing industry trends and learning new tools to remain competitive in the sports media field. I aspire to engage with industry professionals through conferences, brands, social media, and sports associations. I believe the most important skills for success in the sports media field include communications, use of platforms, relations, and adaptability and quick thinking. These core skills will ensure that I write clear and engaging releases and content, build strong relationships with other media professionals, utilize platforms such as X, TikTok, and Instagram to promote teams and events, and be able to proficiently respond to breaking news, game results, and unexpected developments in real time.

Playing sports in high school is a challenge by itself, but there are many challenges that come along with it. Balancing grades and producing optimal performance in a sport is very hard. Maintaining exceptional grades while participating in rigorous training for your sport can be overwhelming. Playing a sport in high school teaches time management and responsibility, two of the most essential skills to have in life. Another significant challenge scholar athletes face is dealing with mental and physical stress. The physical demands of sports can lead to injuries, which require resilience and a strong mindset to overcome. I personally struggle with the pressure to perform well. I get very bad anxiety and get stressed, just wanting to perform to my fullest potential 100% of the time. As a highschool athlete, I have learned the importance of mental toughness and the value of maintaining a positive attitude even in the face of adversity. A big part of being a student athlete is learning your needs and fulfilling them, including selfcare, proper nutrition, getting enough sleep, and much more to sustain your performance and overall well being. One more lesson of being a high school athlete is learning to work well with others. Being a high school athlete involve teamwork and leadership. Sports teach students how to work together towards a shared goal, communicate effectively, and most important of all - support each other. The experience of being a student athlete cultivates leadership skills as athletes very often find themselves in a position that they need guidance and motivation from their peers and vise versa. The lessons learned from teamwork and leadership extend far beyond the sports field. These lessons prepare student athletes for college, their work settings, future careers, and personal relationships. I believe that the greatest lesson taught when being a student athlete is resilience. Resilience is the ability to bounce back from challenges and setbacks time and time again. Student athletes face many setbacks whether it is losing a game, dealing with injuries, balancing the stress of multiple responsibilities, or just having a bad practice but it affecting you because you are so dedicated to performing well at something you put so much time and effort into. These experiences have taught me how to bounce back from adversity, maintain a positive attitude, and stay motivated and keep that spark lighted even when things get tough. The resilience developed through being a student athlete in highschool is crucial for overcoming challenges in other areas of life.

In wrestling, I feel I have always been an underdog. I grew up in a family that doesn't have any wrestling background, and didn't know anything about wrestling. As I started wrestling when I was younger, I was always the only girl in the practice room, and one of, if not the only girl at the local tournaments on the weekends. I had to pick myself up and get back on my feet time and time again wrestling boys for years on end, always feeling like I would never be good enough, but kept fighting because I don't give up. Now, as a senior in highschool, a 2x California State qualifier, signed to wrestle at Minot State, I am no longer the underdog. I am beyond thankful for my younger years in wrestling teaching me to continue trying and not giving up against boys, because it taught me to never give up in life and that you will never regret putting in your full effort. Now, women's wrestling is the fastest growing sport and I am thankful to have the opportunity to be an advocate for the young women being introduced to this sport and I hope that if the sport of wrestling teaches them anything, it is to never stop trying. No matter who you are or where you come from, hard work will never go unnoticed and you will never regret working hard in life. You don't need to be perfect to be good at what you do, you just have to fight for it. I am proud of myself to have a title as a pioneer of women's wrestling. Wrestling truly turns people into a different person. The sport forces you to have an open mind, be dedicated, and be mentally tough. As an underdog, you have to be willing to put in more work than your competition. You have to study day in and day out to fight the title of underdog. You have to be willing to prove you are worth more than that title. You have to constantly get back on your feet and not get discouraged by adversity. You need to believe in yourself more than anything, but above all, stay humble. You need to truly understand that you are capable of succeeding, no matter the circumstances. Realizing you are an underdog, but fighting to not be, gives you the opportunity to grow. And you putting in that effort to grow sets you apart from the mediocre.

Wrestling, to me, is more than just a sport. Wrestling has consumed my life for more years than I can count. Whether it was watching my brother at wrestling practice while I tumbled around the mats when I was young, to now, being 17 , a 2x California State Championships qualifier, eager to pursue my wrestling career at the college level. Being a woman in wrestling means breaking barriers. When I first started wrestling, all I wrestled was boys, now women's wrestling is one of the fastest growing sports in the country. Being on the mat gives me a sense of pride, strength, and an adrenaline rush that you can't get from anything else. The sport of wrestling has taught me the true meaning of hard work, dedication, discipline, and perseverance. Each minute on a wrestling mat gives me an opportunity to grow, to learn, and most importantly to push my limits- not just physically but mentally as well. The sport of wrestling demands a different level of focus and determination that people who haven't wrestled, will never understand. Being a women in wrestling allows me to be the voice and advocate for the future of women's wrestling. No matter what I was feeling on any given day: tired, stressed, worthless, a failure- wrestling was always there for me. Knowing after a bad day, going into a wrestling room, lacing my shoes up, and working hard could always bring me a sense of comfort that no one or anything else could. Nothing compares to the feeling of getting your hand raised after giving your all time and time again during practices, matches, and behind the scenes.I live for the thrill of getting my hand raised. Wrestling gives me a platform to inspire others. Wrestling may be "just a sport" to others, but to me it's about showing little girls- that plan to wrestle or not, that with passion and dedication, they can excel in anything they put their heart and mind to. Wrestling has taught me that setbacks are just setups for comebacks, and every challenge faced on and off the mat, is a lesson in being resilient that I carry into all aspects of my life. Wrestling, to me, is not just a sport- it's a symbol of empowerment, a testament to the strength of women, and a constant reminder that I can break through any barrier set before me.