My name is Angelina Borelli, and I’m a senior working hard to take my sport to the next level and achieve my athletic goals. I’ve been wrestling since I was seven years old, and throughout the years, I’ve grown to love everything that comes with the sport, the discipline, the challenges, and the lessons it teaches about resilience and mental toughness. Wrestling has shaped who I am today, both on and off the mat, and continues to push me to be the best version of myself.
Since I started wrestling, I’ve had many opportunities to grow and accomplish many goals. My sophomore year of high school I set the goal to make it to State championships, and I ended the season one match away from placing. This lit a fire in me and helped me attain my next goal of placing at state last year. I earned third place in the state during my high school season with a record of 38 wins and two losses. I also competed at the national level over summer earning the position of 13 in the nation after wrestling at various tournaments throughout summer.
This year, my goals are to win a state championship and earn an athletic scholarship to wrestle in college. After finishing third at the state tournament last year, I’ve used that experience as motivation to train harder than ever. I’ve spent countless hours improving my technique, strength, and conditioning. Along with training, I’ve been taking steps toward the next level by filling out recruitment questionnaires, emailing coaches, and researching programs that align with both my athletic and academic goals.
Finding the right college wrestling program can be challenging. There are only three Division I women’s wrestling teams compared to the 77 for men, which makes competition for those spots tough. Still, women’s wrestling continues to grow rapidly and is now one of the fastest-growing sports in the country. It’s inspiring to see more opportunities opening up for female wrestlers every year. The support I’ve received from my teammates, coaches, and the wrestling community has helped me stay focused and motivated through this process.
The top five women’s wrestling programs in the country include University of Iowa (Division l), North Central College (Division lll), King University (Division ll), Colorado Mesa University (Division ll), and McKendree University (Division II). Recently, I went on my first official college visit to Minot State University in North Dakota (Division ll). I met the team, watched a practice, and toured the athletic facilities, which helped me picture what life as a collegiate wrestler could be like. I look forward to attending Menlo College (Division ll) November 6 and 7 for an official visit. I also plan to visit other colleges and universities throughout my senior year to find the best place for me to level up.
As I finish my senior year, I’m determined to keep improving every day. Wrestling has taught me perseverance, confidence, and leadership, and I’m committed to continuing to level up as an athlete wherever my journey takes me.
