Photo Courtesy of Hampton-Dumont-CAL Girls Wrestling
The Hampton-Dumont-CAL girls wrestling program is preparing for its inaugural season this winter under the leadership of first-year Head Coach Brittany Stevens.
Stevens on taking on the new role and the support she’s received.
“I have been waiting a long time for it, I’m ready to get into the wrestling room,” says Stevens. “I’m ready to have the girls show up, put on their shoes, and I’m ready to get after it. The people here are the best, we’ve got great fans, we’ve got such a great community. Everybody has been so supportive, near and far. I’m very lucky to have them in my corner.”
Stevens is a 2006 graduate of Clarion-Goldfield, where she also wrestled and won a girls wrestling state title. Her coaching experience includes AAU wrestling and volunteer coaching with West Fork wrestling the last few seasons.
Stevens has enjoyed witnessing the growth of the sport.
“Wrestling’s always been a big part of who I am and my family. Being able to watch it grow, when it got sanctioned, and we could have teams. Then this year, we go and we split into classes now. Getting to see these young girls really grow into their own. Really now the sky’s the limit for these girls, so it’s been great.”
In 2023-2024, 204 schools sponsored a girls wrestling program, and 61 schools were listed in cooperative sharing agreements.
Stevens looks forward to helping develop the Bulldog program.
“We’ve done some open mat stuff this summer, but I’m really ready to get into the season. I look forward to helping these girls grow individually and as a team, I can’t wait to see what we do. I can’t wait to see and have everybody’s support as we begin our first season.”
Stevens, in addition to coaching, will continue her work as a sixth grade teacher and PLC Coach at Hampton-Dumont-CAL.
