To me, wrestling means, dedication. Not just dedication to show up every time and survive the rigorous workouts, but commitment to thriving in life. Before I had no passion and was considerably lazy. In my sophomore year, the year before the decision to become a wrestler, life to me was just getting by every day. I would come home each day after school, lie on my bed, get my homework done, and repeat. No purpose to my life left me no motivation to wake up in the mornings and push to become better. I needed something to spark the drive to pursue the meaning of living my life to the fullest. I was not dedicated to thriving to my fullest potential. Beginning my Junior year, I met a girl, it wasn't long before we became attached at the hip. She had joined wrestling the previous year, and after a few weeks of her persuasion, I decided to tag along with her to a pre-season practice. It was a lot of fun, though it was clear I had never run a day in my life before, but for some reason, I couldn't wait for the next practice. Weeks later I had joined the team, more to speak I had joined a family. Family will pick you up when you're down, but as well push you down when you're climbing back up. My family would always be there for me no matter what, though they would push me to my limits. Though it can be intense at times and leave you feeling drained, wrestling became the best decision I would ever make. The discipline it takes to continue to show up every day even on your bad days, even when talked down by the coaches and boys on the team, it was in my power to prove everyone wrong, that there is nothing a dedicated woman can't do when she puts her mind to it. Overall wrestling has dedicated me to thrive in life, through the good and the hard times. I am now dedicated to creating a life worth living. So to me, wrestling means dedication, as that's all it takes, to always show up and give your best foot forward no matter the circumstances. Here I am now dedicated to achieving my fullest potential, who knows how far I'll go, but I do know that no one can stop me now.