PMHS started its girls’ wrestling program during the 2022-2023 school year and has been gaining traction ever since. From zero girls qualifying at state last year to three this year, the team has made tremendous improvements.
“A lot of these girls have been wrestling since they were little but it’s finally gotten popular enough in the school [for a girls team],” junior Kate McKee said.
Girls like sophomore Alexia Bradley have been part of the Perry wrestling family since elementary school. “Coach Schottle [was my coach]… he would say that when I made it to high school I would have an impact in wrestling,” she said.
Junior Bella Osterhoudt was the only girl in the program her freshman year and has been a leader on the girls’ team for the last two years. “[Osterhoudt is] the one who we owe a lot of credit [to]. She started this program. She was wrestling on the boys’ team before we even had a program, and if we hadn’t started a girls’ program, I never would have wrestled,” McKee said.

Because of this, Osterhoudt understood the importance of being there for new girls on the team. “I’ve been trying to help other girls who want to join, and trying to lead them and help them because I always wanted a girl or someone to help me,” Osterhoudt said. “I’m trying to be that for them.”
With more girls joining the team, the outlook for this season was better. “I had high hopes this season.. last year [as the first year] wasn’t a good year for girls wrestling…but this year we had [21] on the roster and people were showing up and were excited to do it,” Osterhoudt said.
As coach, McKinley has built the practices to form a strong, disciplined team. “This year was day and night compared to last year,” he said. “Coming into this year, more than half of them knew what to expect so they could relay the message to the girls beginning for the first time.”
McKinley knew what needed to be done for the team to improve. “I wanted to see the intensity increase… this year going through their experience from last year, they understood they’d have to pick up the intensity to see success on the mat,” McKinley said. Going into next year he plans to continue their advancements. “The progression has been good, we’re on the right path… the longer they do it the better they’ll become.”
In the Falcon’s second season, they doubled the team size, ultimately setting them up for success. “[For a new program] and to be taking like eight people to semi-state and three people to state, [it is] just super cool to watch girls sports grow,” McKee said.
Bradley, McKee and Osterhoudt all represented the team at state finals this year, with McKee placing fifth in her weight class.
“So many people just kept telling me I should [wrestle],” McKee said. Prior to this year, McKee was a gymnast, pole vaulted for the track and field team and has been in strength and conditioning classes. She has the current highest bench press record in the school. She was able to pick up the sport quickly and use her strength to her advantage.
“I tried it and I actually really liked it, like it was kind of fun.” she said. After only having wrestled for a short time, she had her first meet. “I was super nervous, it was a New Pal tournament…and I ended up winning my first match,” she said. “After that, I was like ‘I think this is for me.’”
After knowing what it feels like to be a newcomer, she wants others to feel welcome. “I want to help kickstart [the program] and make sure other people want to join.” she said.
For the team to grow, they need more girls. “Anyone and everyone should join the wrestling team, people that are driven and motivated, people who just want to do something,” Osterhoudt said. “Never say never, at least try one practice,” agreed Bradley. “Just because it’s new doesn’t mean it’s a bad program. We stick together a lot. There’s no ‘I’m a new kid, they aren’t going to like me.’”
“I don’t want anyone to come in thinking it’s about wins and losses, it’s about personal growth,” McKinley said. There are many benefits of doing sports like wrestling. Wrestlers get to see themselves grow on the mat and in life at the same time. Osterhoudt said, “It helped me in school, like I was more focused. I was able to take out some frustration or tension I had.” McKinley promotes wrestling for “fitness and a little bit of self defense.”
“I want to thank all the girls on the team. We’ve done a great job of showing up and putting in the work,” McKinley said.