Women wrestlers open first season

Chadron State women’s wrestling officially begins with its first match of the program and season at the Colorado Mesa Open on Saturday with a team of six.

“This season, more than anything, I’m looking forward to seeing these athletes grow and find individual successes,” Alijah Jeffery, head women’s wrestling coach, said.

Jeffery said that he knows that individual success varies throughout the team and he just wants the wrestlers to find their own.

Of the six team members, five have a range of previous experience with wrestling while one is beginning her career.

Karstin Hollen, freshman of Mesa, Arizona; Taylor Lindstrom, freshman of Rapid City, South Dakota; and Madison Martines, freshman of Las Vegas, are all wrestlers right out of high school, and had success in those careers.

Jeslyn Jindra, junior of Box Elder, South Dakota, began wrestling in elementary school, but took some time away and decided to return to the mat.

Kamila Montenegro, junior of Las Vegas, wrestled at Grays Harbor College where she was a two time All-American holds the most experience for the women wrestlers.

“In college, women’s wrestling is not the same style as the men’s or even high school wrestling,” Montenegro said. “It is very different. I have been doing freestyle for a while and I have that experience of tournaments and years of competition under my belt.”

Kinsey Smith, junior of Windsor, Colorado, who is usually seen swinging a club for CSC women’s golf team has decided to give wrestling a try, despite not having experience in the sport.

“Honestly, I’ve been kind of blown away by all of them,” Jeffery said. “It’s fun to see these wrestlers that haven’t been on the mat very long just really making these strides quickly.”

Unlike the men’s folkstyle wrestling, women’s is freestyle wrestling, similar in some areas but is still an entirely different sport.

“We really focus on the fundamentals, what things are going to work at this level and what things aren’t,” Jeffery said. “Eventually, we’ll branch out and get to some more advanced techniques but for right now we’re going to focus on the fundamentals.”

Freestyle wrestling differs in areas like the time of a dual being two periods of three minutes. The takedowns can also range from two to five points and the value depends on the execution and style.

A wrestler can earn two to three exposure points if they put their opponent on their back for a few seconds and the range of points will depend on effectiveness, execution and length of the move.

If a wrestler places a foot out of bounds, the opponent is awarded an “Out of Bounds” point.

To win a match, a wrestler can win by a fall, technical fall or decision. A technical fall though is achieved by gaining a 10-point lead over an opponent instead of 15 points in folkstyle.

A disqualification win can also happen if an opponent received three cautions during the fight.

Jeffery said that it’s tough for a group of young wrestlers since other programs have upperclassmen who have been through the program and know the system.

“We’re still new and we’re learning,” Jeffery said. “They’re bringing that intention to practice; they’re coming with a purpose. I think it’s all finally starting to come together.”

CSC’s women’s wrestling team debuts at its first meet, the Colorado Mesa Open, Saturday in Grand Junction.

“I am excited to use this first season to bring exposure and to help grow the sport here at Chadron State,” Montenegro said.