The Northwest Texans wrestling program has made history for Northwest ISD. At the recent state tournament, the Texans posted the program's first-ever state title. Not only does the accomplishment mark the first for the program, but the first for the entire school district. VYPE DFW was able to catch up with boys and girls head coach Jessica Fresh as well as athletes Mackenzie Blue, Trinity Washko, Chuck Reitz, and Sierra Simmons regarding this major accomplishment.
Coach Fresh
This season marks coach Fresh's sixth year with Northwest- her fifth year as a head coach. Before coming to Texas, coach Fresh was a graduate assistant at Waldorf University in Iowa. Coach Fresh touched on the magnitude of this accomplishment for the Texans' wrestling program: "This means so much for our program! As a coach, it feels like validation that we are doing something right. What is more exciting for me is that I believe we are just getting started... For the kids, I think they realized that I wasn't just pumping their tires all season. This shows just how great they are and the depth that we have in the room is one of the best in the state!"
Not only is coach Fresh the first coach to make a dream like this a reality for the program, but she is the first female coach to win a wrestling state championship. Fresh commented on the importance of this by saying "I hope it inspires more young females to seek out these male dominated roles and work for what they want!"
Do you have a mantra that helps motivate your athletes?
"Our focus this year was to shift our mindset and really take accountability for our thoughts going into competition. This isn't a mantra, but the focus we had on what we are telling ourselves really showed a shift in our athletes and how they spoke and thought of themselves. We also yell affirmations as we do our cool down jogs: YES I CAN! I AM A WINNER! I AM STRONG. I WILLA TTAIN MY GOALS. I AM AFRAID OF NO ONE! I AM A GREAT WRESTLER. Saying something enough times, you start to believe it.
Tell me a little bit about your seniors, what sort of impact has their leadership had on your program?
We have a great group of seniors this year that really stepped up- especially during times when I was out with the birth of our first child. Most of them have been with this program for 4-6 years including middle school, so they know the expectations. They called each other out and maintained accountability of one another day in and day out. This is huge for any team, but especially with one wanting to accomplish such big goals in a sport that is so demanding."
After such a successful season, what are you looking forward to in the off season to help prepare for next year?
"We will reflect again, set goals, look at our weakness and then get to work. Those that saw big jumps in success on the mat were largely those that were working all summer. We now have an even higher standard to work towards and I suspect that this season will have a great effect on these athletes coming back and they will want to fill those shoes/roles of those graduating."
Coach Fresh went on to add her appreciation for her athletes and the community: "I am so proud of these kids and thankful for everyone that had a part in creating such a memorable season."
Senior Trinity Washko
Washko is part of the 2023 senior class and will be looking to head off to college at the end of this summer. Although Washko is not yet committed to a college program, it's easy to say that Washko has definitely helped leave her mark on her high school program. "I always wanted for people to remember me in a positive way," Washko said. "So it's good to know that I get to leave a good legacy behind." Washko caught up with VYPE about her time with the Texans program:
How does it feel to have accomplished an achievement like winning state?
"It's really nice to have a big trophy representing how hard me and the team have worked this whole year and the past four years since we have so many seniors this year."
How long have you been wrestling? Who got you into the sport?
"I've been wrestling for five years now. Coach Fresh got me interested."
What are you looking for in a college program?
"I'm looking for a head coach like Fresh- one that's just as committed to the team's success and process, but is also very patient with me."
What are your goals for the off season?
"I want to start lifting more. Get jacked and tan."
What has been your favorite memory wrestling with your school?
"Walking in the parade of champions with my coach my sophomore year. It was so special , especially because I was a sophomore that had been on JV the year before."
What do you feel has been the secret to your personal success?
"Working over the summer and sacrificing a lot of my personal time for more time on the mat."
What do you feel has been the secret to your team's success?
"Building each other up, but also humbling each other and pushing in the weight room, mat room, or wherever we are training."
Senior Chuck Reitz
Reitz is also a senior who will be graduating at the end of May. Reitz has played an integral role to such a powerful squad. "It's amazing to win state. I've worked so hard and put in so many hours to achieve this goal," Reitz told VYPE. Reitz also discussed his time with the Texans:
How does it feel to have accomplished an achievement like winning state?
"I feel like I have set a goal for the kids below me that anyone can achieve this goal if they put in the effort."
How long have you been wrestling? Who got you into the sport?
"I have been wrestling for three years. My father, who was also a wrestler, got me into the sport."
Who do you look up to?
"I look up to Jordan Burroughs- an American wrestler."
What are your goals for the off season?
"My goals for the offseason are to help the upcoming kids in the program achieve their goals."
What has been your favorite memory wrestling with your school?
"My favorite memory is State 2023 and seeing my team's reaction to winning."
What do you feel has been the secret to your personal success?
"There are a couple of things that have led to my success. Number one would have to be my faith. Number two would be the support of my family and friends."
What would you say has been the secret to your team's success?"
"I think the secret to my team's success is how we all love and care for each other. We are a family on this team."
Senior Sierra Simmons
Simmons is a senior who is leaving her high school program behind and planning on attending a dental assistant program in Mesquite next Fall. She believes it is a great program and can see herself enjoying working in dentistry. In regards to her impact on the team, Simmons said "it feels amazing and feels great to achieve something this school has never done before." Simmons elaborated on her time at Northwest:
How does it feel to have accomplished an achievement like winning state?
"It feels normal. Wrestlers achieve excellence every day."
How long have you been wrestling? Who got you into the sport?
"I started wrestling in seventh grade and stopped for two years. Then in my sophomore year, I picked it back up. Coach Fresh is who interested me. I didn't get a lot of playing time in the other sports I was doing and she assured me that I would be a state champ."
Who do you look up to and why?
"I look up to coach Fresh because she is the best role model I've ever known.She's an amazing mom, coach, athlete, and person."
What are your goals for the off season?
"My goals for the offseason are to get big. I love the weight room, there's nothing more enjoyable than being a female with big muscles!"
What has been your favorite memory wrestling with your school?
"My favorite memory is the look on my grandpa's face when I sealed my spot on the podium at state."
What do you feel has been the secret to your personal success?
"Mentality has been my personal secret to success. I have struggled with believing in myself for two years and this year it just clicked for me."
What do you feel has been the secret to your team's success?
"It sounds cheesy and that's because every team says this, but there's really no family like the Northwest Wrestling family; us being as close as we all are is what I truly believe won us that state title."
Sophomore Mackenzie Blue
With plenty of more time ahead for herself in the program, Blue has already put a major title on her high school career resume. "Winning state was one of the most rewarding experiences of my entire life," she told VYPE. "To win state as a team leader after losing my individual match made everything feel much better." Blue, a decorated wrestler for the Texans, is also a track athlete where she competes in pole vaulting. Before getting set on her track season, Blue talked a little bit about wrestling with VYPE:
How does it feel to have accomplished an achievement like winning state?
"I feel greatly honored to contribute to this win."
How long have you been wrestling? Who got you into the sport?
"I have been wrestling for about 2.5 years. Coach Fresh really inspired me to start and continue wrestling back in middle school."
Who do you look up to and why?
"I look up to my parents and Trinity Washko. My parents have become extremely successful people as well as Trinity. Trinity has a burning desire to be successful and do her best; I admire her for it."
What are you looking for in a college program?
"Although I am not committed to a college, I really want to go somewhere that has a great family dynamic no matter which sport. I also want to continue to improve my physical health such as lifting and recovery days."
What are your goals for the offseason?
"My goals in the offseason are to continue to get better, lift three times a week minimum, go to practices, and never give up on the winning attitude."
What has been your favorite memory wrestling with your school?
"My favorite wrestling memory is crying with my teammates after Chuck Reitz won state."
What do you feel has been the secret to your personal success?
"MY secret is my mentality. The thought of possibly losing motivates me to win. I also refuse to lose."
What do you feel has been the secret to your team's success?
"I honestly don't think there is a secret to my team's success. We put in a lot of honest hard work. My team's chemistry is amazing compared to others and we all encourage each other. That is why I think my team won."
The Future is Bright
Winning on and off the mat is a constant theme for the Texans no matter what they are doing. With a large senior class leaving their mark, plenty of underclassmen moving up into leadership positions, a coach that genuinely believes in them, and the ability to maintain a relationship that helps elevate each other to success, the Northwest Texans wrestling program can look toward many more great seasons!