This Young Wrestler Is Making Waves Online As She Consistently Pins Down Both Boys And Girls On The Mat
It is no secret that track and field, soccer, volleyball, and softball are some of the most popular sports in the United States for young female athletes. But you might be shocked to learn that over the last decade, women’s participation in wrestling has actually skyrocketed.
The modern high school wrestling matches that we know today began back in the mid-1960s. And at that time, virtually no young women competed.
Since the early 2000s, though, an increasing number of young female wrestlers have been pinning their own fair share of opponents against the mat.
In 2010, nearly two hundred and seventy-four thousand boys competed on their high school wrestling teams. That same year, just over seven thousand and three hundred girls participated.
As of 2022, though, the amount of female high school wrestlers has more than quadrupled. Now, over thirty-one thousand and six hundred women proudly sport their singlets and compete against the boys.
And according to the non-profit organization Wrestle Like A Girl, this move is massive. Female wrestlers are exposed to a myriad of benefits, including increased confidence, self-esteem, mental toughness, and discipline.
“Wrestling also encourages physical fitness, teaches basic self-defense, and provides a family of wrestlers,” the organization added.
Like many athletes, though, wrestlers often get their start way before high school while they are still tiny tots in elementary school.
TikTok; pictured above is Markee on the mat
And when it came time to pick a sport for one little girl named Markee Gomez from Indianola, Iowa, wrestling screamed her name.
Markee began practicing wrestling five years ago and has been competing for four years now. During that time, she has gone on to win the USA Championship three times and the Iowa State Title a whopping four times.
Markee’s mom, Amanda, also began sharing clips of her daughter’s wrestling matches on her TikTok account @ThatMama_Amanda in January of this year. And ever since then, the social media community has loved watching Markee take down both girls and boys on the mat.
The account has gained over one hundred and fifty thousand followers, as well as a collective nine and a half million likes. People around the globe love following along as Markee goes to practice, consistently wins matches, and answers questions about what it’s like being a female wrestler.
According to her, though, she did not go into wrestling to prove anything. Instead, Markee thought it looked like a fun sport and wanted to follow in her father’s footsteps.
Still, whether by accident or not, Markee continues to inspire young girls and adult women alike every time she steps onto the wrestling mat.
The first TikTok that Amanda ever posted of her daughter wrestling even gained over 2.2 million views and racked up over eight hundred and fifty thousand likes. There, viewers watched as Markee flipped and pinned her opponent to amazingly steal the win.
“You go, girl! Make them boys cry!” commented one user.
“This little one is fearless! I love her confidence and stance– wow!” wrote another user.
As for Markee’s advice for other people who are interested in getting started in wrestling, Markee thinks it’s important to just go for it.
“Just try your best. It doesn’t matter if you win or lose,” she said.
When Markee is not training or traveling to competitions, she also loves to go camping, sleepover at her friend’s houses, and dance.
To keep up with her journey as a budding powerhouse wrestler, you can visit Amanda’s TikTok account linked here.
If true crime defines your free time, this is for you: join Chip Chick’s True Crime Tribe
She Says Her Spirit Guide Saved Her Life After She Almost Fell Out Of A Window
Sign up for Chip Chick’s newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox.
More About:Sports