| Hi my name is Meredith Nash. I am sixteen years old, and I am currently a Junior at Reed high school in Sparks, NV. I started wrestling in 8th grade with my uncle, in his own high school room. I loved it the moment I stepped on the mat, so I decided to wrestle in my 8th grade year for my middle school. But sadly, it was cut short due to Covid. In December 2020 when a few things started to open up again, like all of the gyms and sports clubs, I asked my mom if I could wrestle again because I was just itching to get back on the mat. So of course she said yes to get me out of the house, and for me to get some exercise. My mom ended-up sending me to Nevada Elite. I was so excited and nervous to go because I hadn’t done anything in months. |
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| I was in the little kid’s practice for the first few months, and I just wanted to learn and get better because every day after my practice I watched the high school kids get ready for practice. I wanted to be as good as them one day, and with the help of the coaches and lot a of practices, I was invited to come to the high school practices. After a few months of practice I went to a few tournaments and got my butt kicked every time. I was then introduced to Coach Klapp (Head Coach of the Reed Girls Wrestling Team). He encouraged me to keep wrestling and keep wrestling girls to help this sport grow, and he opened my eyes to how far this sport could take me. |
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| The following months I went to an RMN event in Arizona with my mom, and it was the first time I had ever wrestled girls. I also was still wrestling boys in the rookie bracket, so I was running all over the arena. I lost my first match of the day and I was super upset and mad at myself, so my mom told me to focus on what I’ve learned. In the next match I won. It was my first win ever and against a girl too. I was beyond excited. At the end of that tournament I was 1 and 4, but I placed 6th in girls at 111 lbs. I got this silly little plaque that I still have hanging in the middle of my medal wall to remind me how far I’ve come. |
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| Now I am part of a Nationally Ranked High School Program that has its own girls team. I couldn’t be more thankful! I am also part of Silver State Wrestling Academy with Head Coach Joey Ghione. I wrestle year round, and I am able go to so many amazing tournaments all around the country–including my favorite tournament which is Western States. It is basically a week-long tournament that I get to go to with Coach Klapp and a handful of other girls. We wrestle and we camp that whole week. It is truly the best part of my offseason, besides going to Fargo. |
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| Since starting and and up to this present time, I have made All-American twice; once at the Reno Worlds and once at the Reno Tournament of Champions. Most recently I placed 1st at the Sierra Nevada Classic, and we took home the 1st Place Team Trophy. What I have loved most about wrestling is not the wins or losses nor the medals or trophies, but the team. I have felt great pride in continuing the legacy started by other girls at Reed High School. |
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| I would like to thank my coaches; Michael Klapp, Joey Ghione, Nora Ochoa, Ben Rughair, Chris Gordon and Trey Edmunds. I would also like to thank all of my training partners for all support they have given me. Then last, but definitely not least, my parents–thank you for taking me to every practice when I couldn’t drive, and taking me to all of the tournaments and supporting me at my worst. |
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