By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – From the files of “first time for everything,” Bedford North Lawrence will unveil a brand new team for the 2025-26 campaign.
On a roster of seven athletes, only one has previous experience on the mat, and she’s currently recovering from a knee injury. The rest of the Stars are freshmen or first-year competitors in a punishing sport that rewards veteran knowledge.
BNL’s second season of girls wrestling will be a long learning experience.
“That’s OK, because it’s not all about winning and losing,” BNL coach Dennis Sego said. “You need to learn the sport, which takes a long time. I think we can get girls to place in some of these tournaments, and if we can do that it will motivate the other girls.
“I want them to learn discipline and learn motivation, the grit it takes to fight all the way through the match. It’s six minutes and you have to move, even when you’re exhausted.”
While BNL waits on Arianna Andis to rehabilitate her injury, with a possible return projected for December in a best-case scenario, Sego will be busy teaching the basics to freshmen Peyton Smith, Elysin Guffey, Bristol Kim, and Abby Tipton, in addition to junior Braeleigh Bex and late-arriving newcomer Keianna Lee.
They will be learning on the fly. It’s a tough challenge in a physically demanding sport.
“I’ve done a lot of sports, but I had never tried this one,” Bex said. “I wanted to add it to the rest, and test myself. I expect to have trial and error. It will keep my perseverance and strength going, even if I fail.”
The Stars will start the season on Monday at Jasper.
