Tracy High’s first varsity girls’ wrestling team is closing in on the end of the season. In January, the girls competed in six events and have one final dual before competing in the Sac-Joaquin Section Girls’ Regional competition.

The season has been a great learning experience and it has helped them discover new things about themselves.

“I am a lot tougher than I thought. I have found myself to be very good at staying determined,” senior Simone Stewart said.

“At first a lot of the work and actually wrestling was very intimidating,” senior Emily Simmons said. “Now, I am used to it, and I enjoy the hard work because I know it will only make me better,” Simons said.

Coach Jonathan Blackwell has been proud of his team’s performances over the past month.

“These girls have faced a lot of adversity, but it has been great to watch them learn their strengths and get better not only wrestlers, but as people,” Blackwell said.

All of the girls have shown improvement.

“Recently, Simone has shown great promise taking first place at the most recently attended girls’ varsity wrestling tournament,” Blackwell said.

Compared to other schools such as Tokay, which has up to 60 girls on the wrestling team, Tracy’s team is small with only six wrestlers. The small team was shortened when senior Cassidy Denoyer suffered a arm injury during a tournament at Tokay High on Jan. 16. Before her injury, Denoyer was placing high in a lot of the meets.

“It was sad to see Cassidy get injured. She had a lot of potential and was placing well at a lot of meets,” Blackwell said.

The girls finished off the season against their league rivals Tokay and crosstown rivals West High at Tracy High on Feb. 1. They had a dual against Tokay on Jan 26. None of the girls placed, but it never discourages them.

“Even if you don’t win all of your matches, it is still fun to watch and cheer for my teammates,” Stewart said.

Tracy’s final meet is a dual against West High at Tracy High on Feb. 1.

The Sac-Joaquin Section Girls’ Regional tournament is scheduled for Feb. 5-6, at McNair High in Stockton.

Unlike the boys’ varsity tournament, all six of the female wrestlers will compete at the event. If the girls don’t qualify for the CIF Girls State tournament, the last meet will be a Tri-City Athletic League meet at Lodi High on Feb. 13.