Del Val’s superior wrestling program has excelled in countless ways throughout the years including multiple state titles and many championships.
Within recent years a girls program has also been formed as well. Although the numbers may run small, there is certainly no lack of heart or motivation throughout the team.
For freshman Lydia Bagley this is her debut season here at Del Val, although she’s been wrestling for years before.
We all know on the surface, wrestling seems to be a demanding and entertaining sport. But what does it really take to be a powerful wrestler, on and off the mat?
Bagley and all other wrestlers including myself could agree that there is far more to wrestling than it appears to entail. Even though she’s been in the sport for about 3 years now there are still constant hardships and new situations to face.
“Wrestling isn’t like any other sport, you need to have a hard mentality and just a different motivation in you” says Bagley, she also states “you have to do things you don’t want to do… that’s when it’s most important to do it.”
In order to stay motivated she says she always thinks about those who are better than her and how she wants to get to that level herself. These tactics seem to work well for Bagley as she qualified for Fargo, a huge wrestling tournament where some incredibly experienced athletes wrestle, her eighth grade year.
Taking place in North Dakota over the summer of 24, she faced some of the best wrestlers she’s ever seen.
Preparation for Bagley consists of many things such as light lifting, running and most importantly eating healthy during the season. Wrestling for Bagley is not just a winter sport, it’s year round. With Del Val’s Terrier Wrestling Club’s year round offseason practices, it’s constant work and effort.
Wrestling isn’t only just hard work though, there are a multitude of wonderful aspects about it. Bagley has made some very meaningful connections with other wrestlers and coaches throughout her years of the sport.
The one feeling that she says can’t be beat though, is achieving things she works so hard for. When all of her dedication finally pays off in the end and the accomplishment of it all is the true gift of the sport.
