At Cardozo, the girls wrestling team is growing stronger every year. More girls are joining and proving that wrestling isn’t just for boys. For many of them, it’s about more than just the sport, it’s about building confidence, learning discipline, and finding a team that feels like family.
As wrestler Sydney Browman put it, “I just knew I wanted to do something different… I fell in love.” These girls are working hard, supporting each other, and showing everyone what they’re capable of. Browman started wrestling after years of playing basketball. She wanted a change and felt drawn to wrestling, even though she wasn’t sure why at first. Now, she says being on the team pushes her to be better.
“Being on the wrestling team just makes you hungry in life,” she said. One of her favorite memories was placing third in the city championships during her sophomore year. “We were both so tired and hungry for a win. But I was hungrier.”
Shanelle Kelly joined the team because of Browman and a desire to challenge herself. “Wrestling showed me that I’m tougher than I thought,” she said.
The sport helped her grow as a person, giving her more confidence and focus. “It’s like a chess match,” she explained. “Every move is like a moving piece on the board.” One of her favorite moments was winning her first match with her teammates cheering her on. “It made me proud of all my hard work.”
Emily Santiago, on the other hand, joined because she wanted to stay active and try something new. She didn’t know what to expect but quickly saw how mental wrestling could be. “You need to be thinking constantly,” she said. Her teammates and coaches have helped her by giving feedback and helping her learn. Her goal this season is simple: “To practice and improve so I can do my best in upcoming matches.”
For Madison Tavares, wrestling runs in the family. Her brothers wrestled, and she always knew she’d give it a try too. “There’s something different about wrestling in comparison to other sports,” she said. “The confidence it gives you can’t be found anywhere else.” One of her biggest lessons came from a loss at the end of her undefeated season.
“People didn’t see me as a machine anymore, but as a human,” she said. “Wrestlers are proof that when all else fails, you can always show up.”
Miracle McRae came from a boxing background and wanted a sport that would push her. She was surprised by how supportive the team was, even after losses. “The teammates are wonderful,” she said. “They push you to do things that I didn’t think I could do.”
Coach Milani also stood out to her with his speeches and helpful feedback. “Mentally, people don’t take girls wrestling as seriously,” she said, “so you have to put in that extra work.” Her goal is clear: “To give it my all and try and win all my matches.”
The girls on the wrestling team are learning lessons that go beyond the mat. They’re becoming more confident, more focused, and stronger in every way. “Wrestling builds that discipline when you put in the work,” said Madison. Whether they win or lose, they keep going. They lift each other up and prove that girls can be just as tough and determined as anyone else. As Miracle said, “You have to put in that extra work so people can see that you take it very serious.” And these girls definitely do.
