Back left to right: Assistant Coach Ben Quinn, Brielle Lucero (Rangely), Abigail Amick, Hayden Garcia, Aurora Stallings, Ruth LeBlanc, Coach Barney LeBlanc; front left to right: McKenna Berthelson, Kalee Ivy. Not pictured: Assistant Coach Clea Steerman, Assistant Coach Adrianna Price, Gracie Varner and Lucy Munger. JARED HENDERSON PHOTO
MEEKER | Meeker High School is introducing a new girls’ team sport this year: girls’ wrestling. On Nov. 18, 2024, the team will hold its first official practice in school history, marking a historic moment for the school and its athletic programs. The team will be led by new Head Coach Barney LeBlanc, who is eager to start the season. He is joined by Assistant Coach Ben Quinn and two additional coaches, Clea Steerman and Adrianna Price.
The addition of a girls’ wrestling team follows the successful launch of the school’s girls’ golf team five years ago. While the team is new, the support from the community, staff, and athletes has been overwhelming.
Coach LeBlanc’s Motivation to Lead the Team
Coach LeBlanc, a parent of two high school-aged daughters, was motivated to apply for the position after seeing an advertisement in the Herald Times newspaper. He recognized the importance of providing opportunities for young girls in sports and wanted to be involved in helping them grow through wrestling. “I’ve been thinking that it would be a good thing for my two girls that are in high school, so I went ahead and applied, interviewed for it, and got the job,” LeBlanc said.
LeBlanc is enthusiastic about the team’s potential and the growth it can bring to the female athletes in the area. He emphasized the importance of creating an environment where girls wrestle girls, rather than competing with boys. “I think it’s really good that it’s girls wrestling girls, and not girls wrestling boys,” LeBlanc explained. His vision is to create a positive, empowering space for the athletes, where they can build confidence and develop both physically and mentally.
The Benefits of Wrestling for Girls
Wrestling, often thought of as a predominantly male sport, offers numerous benefits for all athletes, including girls. Wrestling helps build self-esteem, confidence, and mental toughness. It teaches discipline, focus, and perseverance. Additionally, wrestling provides practical self-defense skills, which could prove valuable in real-life situations.
“There’s a lot of really good things that they can learn from wrestling, and I think it’s applicable to both boys and girls—the ability to endure hard things and learning about cutting weight,” LeBlanc said. These life skills, he believes, will help the athletes both on and off the mat.
Overcoming Initial Challenges
Starting a new sports program is never without challenges, but LeBlanc is confident that the team will overcome any obstacles that arise. One of the main hurdles has been scheduling practices in the wrestling room. With both the boys’ and girls’ wrestling teams needing space, there was concern about fitting in practices for both groups. However, LeBlanc and his team have come up with scheduling solutions to work around the issue.
“It’s easier having Clea [Steerman] in the school. She can talk to kids. My daughter Ruth is really excited about it. She’s been trying to get support, and Chad Dare, who coaches in Junction, has been super supportive with information and has been a great resource,” said LeBlanc.
In addition to local resources, Meeker’s own community members have rallied behind the new program. Coach LeBlanc mentioned the support from Bobby Gutierrez, who has been instrumental in the development of the program, and J.C. Watt, who helped with fundraising efforts. “The community has been good, and J.C. Watt has been really good in helping get the fundraising stuff going and just to bounce ideas off of,” he said.
Community Support and Anticipation
The excitement surrounding the new girls’ wrestling team extends beyond the coaching staff and athletes. Meeker High School’s Athletic Director, Klark Kindler, expressed his enthusiasm for the team’s debut, stating that the school is eager to host home duals and give the community a chance to see the girls compete.
“We are excited to add this program and have a couple of home duals scheduled for people to come and see our girls compete,” Kindler said.
Meeker High School Principal Amy Chinn also shared her excitement about the addition of girls’ wrestling. “We are excited that Meeker High School has added girls’ wrestling. Meeker’s longstanding tradition of excellence in our wrestling program will be enhanced by adding this opportunity for our female athletes,” Chinn said.
She also emphasized the importance of community support, adding, “As this program develops and grows, they will have the full support of the Meeker community behind them. Go Cowboys!”
Looking Ahead to the First Tournament
LeBlanc is especially excited to see the growth of his athletes throughout the season. He is looking forward to the moment when the girls begin mastering techniques and overcoming obstacles on the mat. “Seeing the kids get it, seeing the girls get techniques or overcome an obstacle and the camaraderie of it, I think it will be a good way to serve the girls and build them up,” LeBlanc said.
LeBlanc is also excited for the personal growth the athletes will experience as they face challenges and push themselves. “Just seeing them grow, that’s what I am most excited about. They are getting ready to have big growth. It’s definitely hard, and I think hard things are how you grow,” LeBlanc said.
As of now, there are 14 girls who have expressed interest in joining the new wrestling team. In preparation for the season, LeBlanc has been holding open mats on Thursday evenings to allow athletes to practice and familiarize themselves with the sport. He expects the final roster to range between eight and 14 athletes.
LeBlanc also mentioned that some girls from Rangely, Colorado, have shown interest in joining the team, expanding the program’s reach beyond just Meeker.
“It’s very exciting. It’s the fastest-growing high school sport in the nation. I love wrestling, and it’s exciting to see a new avenue of wrestling,” he said.
The team will kick off their season with their first tournament in Soroco, Colorado, on Dec. 7, 2024. This tournament will mark a historic moment for the school and the program, as it will be the first-ever competition for Meeker’s Girls’ Wrestling Team.
As the season progresses, the team is set to make history while continuing to grow and build momentum within the school and the larger community. The girls’ wrestling program at Meeker High School is not only breaking new ground but also setting the stage for future generations of female athletes.
By JARED HENDERSON
