It was an early, gloomy Sunday morning at 7 a.m. On a day when most teenagers were sleeping in and enjoying a holiday weekend, six Lady Grizzlies gathered at 184 Stafford in Springfield, Massachusetts. Their destination: the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston, where they would compete in the New England Beat the Streets Dual Tournament. To the passerby, it might have looked like just another wrestling trip, but for Grit and Gratitude, it was history in motion. This was the first all-girls’ dual team ever to wear the Grizzly banner.

The team consisted of girls from across Western Massachusetts, including one from Connecticut. These athletes were not bound by a single high school or city, yet if you had been there in person, you would not have been able to tell. The magnetic energy and team camaraderie that emanated from the bench as each girl wrestled were loud, heartfelt, and something any club could only hope to build during the “off season.”

The teams were split into pool play. The Grizzlies were placed in Pool B, and the first dual of the day was against MetroWest United. Despite the nerves and pressure of being the first person to wrestle, Ainsley Southergill (the youngest Grizzly on the team) set a mighty tone by securing a major decision (10-0). Faith Jones, in the 120-pound weight class, carried that momentum with her relentless double-leg takedowns and picked up another major decision (13-5). Teagan Tingley, next up at 135 pounds, stepped out with the heart of a lion but fell short, losing by fall to MetroWest United (Red). The match concluded with forfeits at 150 and 170, and a double forfeit at 220, ending the team score at 20-6.

The second dual was against the BraveHearts. Southergill and Jones were bested by their opponents. Isabella Beaulieu stepped out for her first match of the day at 135 pounds and went out fighting after attempting a single-leg takedown. At 150 pounds, Mayanah Cabrera also wrestled for the first time that day. It was a nail-biter, as Cabrera continued to search for a pin to turn the dual around for the Grizzlies. Despite her explosive headlocks, she secured a decision. Addison Powell followed, carrying Cabrera’s momentum, and secured a fall early in the first period. Despite the last two wins, the Grizzlies fell short, 28-9.

Refusing to let a loss dampen their spirits, the Grizzlies rallied and competed in their final Pool B dual against Beat the Streets New England. Jones marched on and secured a fall in the first period. Beaulieu returned at 135 and obtained her first victory of the day with a thunderous headlock. Cabrera added another win, and the dual concluded with a team score of 30-6.

After going 2-1 in their pool, the Grizzlies advanced to the semifinals in the first-place bracket to face MetroWest United (Black). Southergill lost by decision. Jones was up next and found herself in trouble in the third period. To the untrained eye, the match seemed over as she was placed on her back, but Jones dug deep and fought ferociously. Her neck bridge not only got her off her back, but she through sheer grit and determination she reversed her opponent to her back, securing a victory for herself and the Grizzlies. Beaulieu lost by decision, and Cabrera experienced her first loss of the day. Powell secured another pin for the Grizzlies. The Grizzlies fell 27-9 but earned the opportunity to wrestle for third.

The Grizzlies faced the BraveHearts once again. Southergill closed the gap this time, losing 7-1 after an earlier loss of 15-4. Jones took her opportunity for redemption against an opponent she had lost to in the previous dual and secured a fall. Beaulieu went down by pin. Cabrera returned at 150 and earned her first technical fall of the day, besting her opponent 16-0. Powell lost a close match, 6-5, firing shots until the final whistle. The Grizzlies lost 27-11 and ended the day in fourth place.

There were many victories, big and small, for these ladies — whether it was continuing to wrestle when all hope seemed lost or having the courage to face an opponent again just hours after a loss. The scoreboard read fourth place, but what these young women achieved went far beyond medals and hand raises. They laid the foundation for future Lady Grizzlies to come after them and carry the torch that was lit this Sunday.

Written by Anna Ernst