Girls Wrestling Joins the Podcast
The first episode of the Red Arrow Preps Podcast featured four members of Lowell Girls Wrestling, highlighting the rapid growth and rising success of the program. The episode includes seniors Veronica Tapia and Analize Tapia, and sophomores Tatianna Castillo and Lana Sheehan.
Transcript for the hearing impaired.
Justin Scott – Red Arrow Preps:
All right, good afternoon everyone. My name is Justin Scott with Red Arrow Preps, and this is the first Red Arrow Preps podcast, which was just announced yesterday. We’ve already had a lot of great support, so thank you for that early backing.
Today we’re here with Lowell Girls Wrestling. We’ve got four of Lowell’s top wrestlers with us. Why don’t you go around and introduce yourselves. Let’s start with Lana.
Lana Sheehan:
Hi, I’m Lana Sheehan. This is my second year wrestling. I started last year while living in Grayling, but after realizing how much I loved the sport and how much it meant to me, we switched to Lowell. It’s been a really great program, and I’ve loved being part of it.
Veronica Tapia:
I’m Veronica Tapia. I’m a senior, and I’ve been wrestling since I was a kid, kind of on and off. I’ve wrestled all four years of high school.
Analize Tapia:
Hi, I’m Analize Tapia. I’ve been wrestling since I was young too. I actually started after Veronica did. I’m a junior now, and I’ve been wrestling throughout high school.
Tatianna Castillo:
Hi, I’m Tatianna Castillo. I’ve been wrestling since I was about five years old. I originally lived in Ionia and wrestled there through elementary and middle school. I moved to Lowell in eighth grade. I’m a sophomore now, and I placed at state my freshman year.
Justin Scott – Red Arrow Preps:
Tell me how the season’s going. Three of you were part of the original Lowell girls wrestling group when it really took off, and Lana, you joined recently. The numbers have grown a lot over the last year. Lana, how’s the season been going?
Lana Sheehan:
I think it’s been going pretty well. Individually, I’ve definitely grown from the first tournament to the most recent one. I’ve had a couple losses, but those really helped me see what I need to work on. As a team, we’ve done really well too. As we’ve grown, we’ve gotten closer and learned how each other wrestles.
Veronica Tapia:
Yeah, I agree.
Tatianna Castillo:
This sport has shaped me as a person. I’ve gained a lot of good friends. Even when I have to wrestle my friends, it just makes us better. I’ve loved this sport ever since I was young.
Justin Scott – Red Arrow Preps:
Tatianna, last year you placed at state and finished as a state champion. What’s it like competing at that level? And what’s it like transitioning to wrestling boys at conference? We’re not used to seeing you lose.
Tatianna Castillo:
Wrestling boys is definitely harder, but it prepares me for the girls season. I wrestle differently against boys than girls. Training and practicing with them makes me better and prepares me to compete for another state title.
Justin Scott – Red Arrow Preps:
Veronica, you’ve wrestled boys too. Do you approach those matches differently?
Veronica Tapia:
I try not to think about it too much. The results don’t matter as much. I just go out and do what I can.
Justin Scott – Red Arrow Preps:
You three were at the forefront of Lowell girls wrestling when it really took off, and you finished state runner-up as a team last year. Analize, what’s it like being part of building the program?
Analize Tapia:
It’s definitely different. In middle school there wasn’t really a girls program, so coming to high school and being part of building it has been exciting and new.
Justin Scott – Red Arrow Preps:
Tell me about your coaches. Lana?
Lana Sheehan:
We have Coach Jeff, Coach Nate, Coach Joe, and Coach Justin. They all bring something different and have their own styles. They really inspire us and help us grow.
Tatianna Castillo:
Coach Jeff is strong on his feet and aggressive. Others focus more on top and bottom. Having different coaching styles helps us develop our own strengths.
Justin Scott – Red Arrow Preps:
Veronica, what was your journey like being one of the first girls in the program?
Veronica Tapia:
My freshman year I mostly trained with a boy. Sophomore year I wrestled Analize a lot. Junior year I practiced more with Tatianna. Now we have more girls to train with, which has helped a lot.
Justin Scott – Red Arrow Preps:
Who are some newcomers we should know about?
Veronica Tapia:
Lily Gonzalez and Riley Ferrell have improved a lot this year. They work hard and are getting better every match.
Tatianna Castillo:
Taryn and Bri are impressive for first-year wrestlers. They’ve improved quickly and have a lot of potential.
Justin Scott – Red Arrow Preps:
You all had strong runs at state last year. Analize, tell me about your experience.
Analize Tapia:
It was exciting. I beat the girl who had beaten me earlier, which helped our team standings. I learned to never give up, even in your last match.
Tatianna Castillo:
I was really nervous at first. I had never even watched states before. After my first match, I calmed down and focused on wrestling my style. I never underestimate my opponent.
Justin Scott – Red Arrow Preps:
Veronica, you’ve placed at state every year. What have you learned?
Veronica Tapia:
Freshman year was overwhelming. I took eighth. Sophomore year I took fourth. Junior year I felt more prepared and made it to the finals against a wrestler committed to Iowa. Each year I’ve grown and learned something new.
Justin Scott – Red Arrow Preps:
Districts are coming up. What are your goals?
Lana Sheehan:
I’ve scouted some potential opponents. I want to try some new pinning combinations and stay focused.
Analize Tapia:
I won’t overlook anyone. I just want to stay mentally strong and wrestle my match.
Justin Scott – Red Arrow Preps:
Girls wrestling state is individual-based, but team points add up. Last year you finished second with just three wrestlers, which is incredible.
Veronica Tapia:
We were surprised too. The team that won had a full lineup.
Justin Scott – Red Arrow Preps:
Veronica, what’s next for you?
Veronica Tapia:
I plan to wrestle in college. I’m not sure where yet.
Tatianna Castillo:
If you’re a girl thinking about wrestling, just try it. You’ll find a supportive team, and it’s a great opportunity.
Justin Scott – Red Arrow Preps:
Wrestling is one of the fastest-growing sports in America. It’s exciting to see the girls program growing, and hopefully those numbers keep rising.
Thank you all for joining. Good luck in the postseason.
