Sisters Outlaws seniors lead the charge in growing girls’ wrestling
SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Girls are proving they’re capable of anything—even in a sport traditionally dominated by boys. Wrestling is no longer just for the guys; it’s becoming one of the fastest-growing girls’ sports in the country.
That growth is evident in Central Oregon, where the Sisters High School girls’ wrestling team has expanded from just four athletes to 10 in a single year.
"So it's pretty, it's pretty great to see the progress that we've had," said senior Kisten Elbek."Especially me and Brooklyn being here since freshman year and kind of seeing, we are building the program up and up with coach."
That expansion has brought not only numbers but also success. The team has placed second in their last three tournaments and is heading into districts with confidence.
"I'm super-excited to go into districts, seeing the progress from this year vs. in my wrestling personally this year versus last year is amazing, to go from a losing record to now 30-7 for my record," Elbek said.
Senior Brooklyn Cooper is excited for what's still to come.
"For me, I want to accomplish just going state, just going all out and, leaving all my, leaving it all on the mat, since it's my last year," Cooper said.
Cooper and Elbek’s relentless work ethic is setting the tone for the program’s future. But beyond victories, the team has built something even more meaningful: a family.
"Being able to have our own family with our own girls team and kind of show the younger girls what it's like to be an Outlaw and what our coaches taught us freshman year, like coach is super-big on attitude," Elbek continued.
When these wrestlers step onto the mat, they know the level of commitment it takes to be great. Unlike many team sports, wrestling is an individual battle.
Cooper said, "It's not you have to rely on a team to make a play. It's like it's you on the mat, no one else."
These athletes are more than competitors — they’re game-changers.
"Yeah, it's meant a lot, like I've watched my brother growing up wrestling and seeing maybe one or two girls," Cooper said, "Now having a whole sport dedicated to us, which is super-cool to be a part of and inspiring, like all these younger girls, it's really cool to be a part of."
With districts kicking off this weekend, the Sisters girls’ wrestling team is ready to prove just how far they’ve come. Next stop? The state meet in Portland.
