Sports
Fourth Grade Mat Queen Wins State Wrestling Title
Cumberland fourth grader Sophia Smith makes a name for herself, and for girls, in wrestling.
When Cumberland fourth grader Sophia Smith is in her element, she's digging her Nike boots and pink socks into a wrestling mat and holding her opponent's head against the ground in a Half Nelson.
As the only girl in the Whitefish Bay Wrestling Club, Sophia is one of thousands of girls across the country pioneering a place for themselves in a traditionally male-dominated sport. And she's not just making any place. At the United States Girls Wrestling Association girls state tournament in Kenosha last weekend, she took first place in her age and weight bracket.
"There are hardly any girls who do it," Sophia said. "I wish there were other girls."
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The USGWA state tournament was an opportunity for her to face other girls, after countless days of practicing against boys.
"It's nice for her to meet other girls who are wrestling around the state, and to form friendships," Sophia's dad Bill Smith said.
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But when she hits the mat, Sophia doesn't hesitate to do what it takes to win. And she relishes the opportunity to use her two favorite moves: the Half Nelson, and the Cradle, for which she picks up and topples her opponent.
"She's very competitive so it's fun to watch," Bill said. "She's very low key about it; she doesn't get too excited about it. But she really enjoys winning."
At home she keeps a collection of medals from wrestling and soccer that has reached about 15.
Sophia said she started wrestling in first grade "because daddy wrestles," and she doesn't have plans to stop. And although Sophia is the only girl wrestling in Whitefish Bay so far, she's part of a growing nationwide trend.
Less than 3 percent of U.S. high school wrestlers during the 2010-2011 school-year were girls, but it's a growing number. According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, a record 7,351 girls participated in high school wrestling last year.
For now, Sophia has her sights set on the girls division of the boys state tournament March 23 and 24 in Madison, which she won last year.
