Heading into the third official year of the sport, the Powell Panther girls’ wrestling team has expanded to nine competitors, leading to a new coach in David Holland. He expects to lead a team that brings back some experience as well as new wrestlers.

Throughout Wyoming and across the nation the sport continues to grow, as Holland is ready to step into the role as the first head coach specifically for the girls’ team at Powell High School.

“It’s the fastest growing sport in America and it’s my fifth year being part of the program from the middle school and high school,” Holland said. “I’ve seen it grow from two girls to now we have nine girls on the team now.”

With that team the Panthers bring both experience and new wrestlers to the program,
including a pair of state qualifiers in junior Allison LeBlanc, who placed third at 110 pounds, and sophomore Eleasah Horsley, who placed just short of a medal a year ago at 115 pounds.

Powell also returns three more Panthers from last year’s team who competed at regionals and just fell short of the state tournament in junior Nalani Jordan and sophomores Caydee Eden and River James.

“I’d say half the group is pretty seasoned, tough girls that have wrestled before, performed really well for us last year,” Holland said. “Half the group is new so they’re all green and fresh. They’re just learning the basics, so that’s kind of where we are at right now.”

He said that he met with each of the girls and has set a goal, taking it day-by-day in order to make it to the state championships in Casper at the end of February.

Despite having its own separate coaching staff, the girls are still practicing with the boys each day in the wrestling room, allowing them to get five coaches helping each and every practice. That includes Aimee Kawano who will serve as an assistant coach and supervisor for the team.

“It’s amazing because you get five coaches in the room, everyone’s circulating and walking around the room so you just get that many more eyes on everybody,” Holland said. “So it’s definitely a blessing. Our wrestling supervisor position, Aimee Kawano, her family has a long history of Powell athletes here. She has a little bit of a background, it’s new to her but she’s a quick learner. She played rugby in college, is one of our boxing club instructors here in Powell and so she’s super physical. She’s able to work the basics with the new girls and she’s an excellent addition to the team as well.”

The Panthers will stay close to home but compete in a different environment from year’s past, heading to Cody to take part in an invitational tournament as the Powell tournament has outgrown the high school.

“I want the veterans to go out there and give it all they have,” Holland said. “Set the tone for the season by going out there and leaving 100% on the mat. The new girls, just getting the experience. Because for a majority of the new girls, they’ve never had a match before … Whether win or lose, it’s a learning experience for those new girls.”

Matches on Friday will start at 12:30 p.m. and at 9 a.m. on Saturday at Cody High School.