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Many, many years ago when this reporter was in high school, athletic competition was almost entirely for boys; and even we didn't have many of the sports that are played today.  There was football, basketball, track and baseball--but most schools in smaller counties didn't have soccer.  The school I attended also didn't have wrestling.  We didn't have swimming or cross country or golf or tennis. I played soccer on a pickup league that played on Saturday & Sunday on a football field at a Charlotte school.

For girls, basketball was the only sport.  Girls didn't have a track team or volleyball or anything else.  The basketball was also so different it didn't resemble the boys game at all or the girls game played today. 

Enough ancient history!  Fortunately, things have changed!  Most recently, one sport that was for boys only has added girls competition, although most schools aren't yet involved.  The NCHSAA now sanctions girls wrestling, and some girls from local schools competed this year.  

Among those who participated in the NCHSAA West Regionals were two wrestlers from East Lincoln and three from North Lincoln.  

Nicole Davidson compiled an 8-5 record at East.  In the Regional, she won her round one match in the 110-lb bracket by fall in 42 seconds over a wrestler from East Wilkes. Unfortunately, she lost by fallin 3:09 in the quarterfinal round to a wrestler from McDowell.  She did, however, win her round 2 and round 3 matches.  In round 2, she won over a Pisgah wrestler by fall in 2:16 and in round 3 by decision over a wrestler from East Henderson.  She the lost to a North Henderson wrestler in the consolation semifinal, but her wins gave her team nine points in the event.

Diem Thompson from East participated in 120-lb bracket, but lost in both her round 1 and consolation matches.  She compiled a record of 6-4.

North Lincoln's Taylor Mckenzie picked up seven points for her team winning her round 1 match by fall in 3:21 over a wrestler from Thomas Jefferson Academy.  She also won her 107-lb bracket quarterfinal match over a wrestler from West Wilkes by decision.  She lost by fall in 2:58 to a wrestler from North Henderson in the semi-final round; and by fall in 4:09 to a wrestler from Hendersonville in the consolation semi-final.  She compiled a 14-2 record.

Courtney Jones from North Lincoln had a 6-6 record.  She participated in the 100-lb bracket but lost by fall in 1:18  in the championship round to a wrestler from Madison and by fall in 16 seconds to a wrestler from Olympic. 

Sydney Kuzma had a 10-7 record.  In the 145 bracket, she lost her championship round match to a wrestler from Alexander Central by fall in 1:26 and her consolation match by fall in 1:46 to a wrestler from Statesville.  

Congratulations to these local girls who made it to the West Regional.  We're pleased to recognize your accomplishment--and sorry it took so long.

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