This year, Mackenzie Matthews had fought her way to being 1 of the 32 girls in her weight class to wrestle at the girls’ California state wrestling tournament. A big accomplishment within her wrestling career, she keeps paving the way for her last season next year. 

As the team captain, Matthews has influenced and inspired others around her to be confident in their wrestling and be the person they wanted to be, but with a spice of fun. She makes anyone in the room smile with her kindness and her outgoing personality. 

Additionally, her leadership skills are portrayed through her skillful coaching and loving support for most of her teammates. 

Although Matthews is all sweet and kindness, she is a beast on the mat. She has often stayed overtime after regular high school practices with two of the wrestling coaches to perfect the newly taught technique. After, she then goes straight to judo after high school practice or to get an extra workout in. This ultimately shows her overall commitment towards the sport, and how she has jumped great lengths after coming back from a tough injury last year. 

Despite that, everyone should understand the overall physical and mental commitment of wrestling and the life lessons learned from this demanding sport. Where being able to have technique, or be physically conditioned, or even having confidence in oneself is heavily vital and doesn’t come easily. 

For Matthews, your not only see the dedication she hands towards this sport but also for her studies as she has to work extra hours to finish on her studies, with her stating, “I’m lucky to have a great support system, so my coaches and family plan things accordingly, that way I could get a good practice, but also have time to get home early enough to do homework and spend time with my family. However, sometimes I do have to stay up late at night to do homework, but that’s part of being a student athlete.” 

Even then, athletes can feel fatigue and overall desire to quit; however, Matthews pushes others even on the worst days to take their shots, level change, and just keep having fun while on the mat.

Nevertheless, not only does everyone else need motivation, but she also has to build her motivation. Influence and mentoring play a big role throughout wrestling, as it can build confidence and be inspired to be like someone. And for Matthews, her biggest influence to keep on fighting no matter what was her brother. As she said, “I would say my brother was my biggest influence, I would love watching him wrestle and over time fell in love with the sport as much as he did, I look up to him so much.” 

Matthews has shown so much dedication throughout her wrestling career, with so much more to show in the future years. As she advises younger girls and boys wanting to join wrestling or even those who are in their wrestling season, to look on the bright side of wrestling, as nobody’s too good to compete with, as long as you put in the work, you’ll be good. And to do your best and just have fun. Spotlight: Mackenzie Matthews