Once considered an activity exclusively for boys, wrestling has become one of the fastest-growing sports for girls at the high school level. Girls have been on teams with — and competed against — boys for years, but as interest in the sport increases, high schools across the nation are adding female-only teams and states are creating girls-only championships. Acalanes is proud of our four female wrestling for the Dons.

Acalanes Wrestling was a strong this season with strong individual performances, especially by our lady Dons. Contributing to this success are four new female wrestlers:  Anya Haas-Hollenbeck (Freshman), Dakota Goyert (Sophmore) and Olivia Banks and Joy Baker (Juniors).  There were amazing performances Saturday at the DAL championships, and that includes Olivia Banks who placed SECOND.

Meet Olivia Banks…

How did you get involved in ACAwrestling? I was wonderstruck during a PE wrestling preview freshman year. Didn’t know we had a wrestling team but seeing Alex Haase in the presentation was inspiring, a graduated wrestler now but she was the first Acalanes girl to go to NCS. 

What do you get out of ACAwrestling? Wrestling incites a sort of responsibility, if not punctuality, that virtually nothing else can bring out in me. Each day I’m motivated to do my best and contribute to my team. Which is why I think the best part is the camaraderie. There’s nowhere as fun as the cafeteria where we practice because all the other sports get the gyms. The exceptional challenge of wrestling really brings people together. That’s why I think it is so fitting for girls. Who bond with each other faster than any speed needed for a match. I admire all the girls that I have wrestled, the ones I haven’t yet, and I’m always eager to meet more. 

What do you think before you hit the mat? Personally, a good mental recap of my favorite moves and an internal chant not to fail is tradition when warming up.