Hi, my name is Elizabeth (Lizzy) Wolf. I was in 8th grade when I was dragged to a high school boys' wrestling meet to watch my older sister cheer. I was curious about what I was seeing, but it wasn’t until I saw a couple of girls take the mat to wrestle that my interest really piqued. I asked my parents if I could wrestle, and they said absolutely. We found a wrestling club, and that was the start. Middle school came, and I wanted to join our school’s wrestling team. Teachers and students had told me that there were no girls on the team, and it would be weird if I joined with the boys. Ignoring their comments, I joined the team anyway. I was the only girl, and I faced some struggles. I felt like I didn’t belong, and no one wanted to be my partner at practices. I debated quitting, but I knew that I could make a change, so I stayed out. Walking into practices where I was underestimated made me rely on something deeper than confidence. I started to rely on adaptability, determination, and curiosity. Over the next few years, these qualities laid down a foundation for my interest in science, specifically biology. I lost my best friend to childhood cancer. I was devastated, and I wanted to know why. I started to become fascinated with how the body works, builds strength, how recovery works, and how nutrition is used to fuel and heal the body. When I had trouble cutting weight or I had an injury, I began to question, “Why?” I have always been curious about how things work, and science is the answer to that. As I started learning more about the human body, I noticed that the environment works similarly, through balance and adaptability. I care deeply for the nature surrounding me, and the people around me as well. I would like to make a change in my state to help protect both people and nature. I would like to attend a four-year university to major in biology and research methods for farmers to use, protecting their crops while also protecting our water. Along with that, I also plan on continuing to wrestle in college, and I hope to grow the sport of women’s wrestling. I am extremely excited for the opportunity to attend a college and learn more about what I am passionate about, but also to make a change