Isabelle Silva

Athlete of the Month
Isabelle Silva
Pictures and Content courtesy of The Silva Family
Every story has a beginning. I believe mine started when I was introduced to Coach Klapp after a Middle School Wrestling Dual my 8th Grade year. Hi, my name is Izzy Silva; I am seventeen years old and going into my Senior year at Reed High School. Unlike most, I started wrestling late into my career and at the time, at 13 years old, I didn’t have much love for the sport because I was only wrestling boys and didn’t practice anywhere else outside of the Six-Week Middle School season. However, towards the end of my 8th Grade season, Coach Klapp invited me to AGA, where I was able to practice with girls my weight and began to grow my love for the sport. While training and competing with this team at AGA until the beginning of my Freshman year at Wooster High School, I was exposed to an overwhelmingly supportive coaching staff and group of girls that helped shape my character and the athletic ability I have today.
 
Spending Freshman and Sophomore year at Wooster High School, I was the only girl on the team and had two successful seasons as a Colt under Coach Mayo and Coach Newman. With tremendous support from my peers, coaches, and teammates, along with practicing twice a day with both Wooster and Reed, I was blessed to be awarded with two Varsity Letters, become a 2x Girls State Placer, 2x MVP and 2x All-State Academic Athlete. From going 1-2 at the 4A Boy’s Regional Tournament to having a close 3rd Place match my Sophomore year and nearly qualifying for Boy’s State, I realized that my consistency and work I had been putting in was finally starting to pay off. At that point, I became “addicted to the progress and fell in love with the process.” Sophomore year, under my biggest supporter, Coach Newman, I won SNC’s in a dominant fashion, not giving up a single takedown. That year, I also won the Lady Tiger Tournament and placed 5th at Women’s TOCs. Again, I cannot thank my peers, coaches, and teammates enough for being so welcoming and supportive in my growth as an athlete and as a Colt.
 
During my Sophomore year, I was introduced to Coach Nolan and Coach Joey. Over the past year, I have grown a unique and strong bond with these two, and while being pushed to my limits and working to perfect my craft, I’ve noticed that not only have I had huge successes on the mat, but also have grown to be more mentally strong, as well as obtaining a strong work ethic in both school and in the room. I cannot thank them enough for their endless support and guidance, and as a result, I’ve been blessed enough to travel the country with Silver State and obtain a 3x All- American Status as well as earn a spot on the National High School Rankings.
 
Transferring from Wooster, I decided to take a big step and attend Reed High School. Although COVID caused a cancellation in the wrestling season, I was still able to train with Coach Klapp, who continues to show his support and love for my progress, and I cannot thank him enough for everything he has done for me along my journey. I look forward to my Senior year at Reed High School, and under their strong coaching staff, along with their growing Girls Team, I know it’ll be a ride!
 
Although I’ve only been wrestling for four years, my consistency, hard work, dedication, and support throughout this period of my life has helped me make huge steps as an athlete and compete with some of the best girls in the country, who have years of experience on me. Without wrestling, I wouldn’t be half of the woman I am today and am blessed enough to be surrounded by those who are just as hungry for success as I am, as well as those who have continued to show me endless support and guidance throughout my wrestling career.
I owe my successes to:
• My parents
• Coach Klapp
• Coach Nolan
• Coach Joey
• Coach Newman
• Coach Mayo
• Coach Spiker
• Coach Gordon
• My partners
• Many others
 
Words from coaches:
Izzy has been a blast to coach and be around! Her ability to work and learn are exactly what you look for in an athlete. She was Silver State’s first USA All-American and has been one of the most consistent athletes in the club from the beginning. She represents the core values we hold spot on – Gratitude, Growth, Perseverance.
-Joshua Nolan (SSWA)
 
Izzy Silva is one of the hardest working wrestlers that I have had the pleasure of coaching. She is someone that has that “IT” factor that many like to see in their athletes. Izzy is a role model for those girls that are looking to get in the sport and is one of the best teammates that anyone could have. She goes above and beyond what is asked of her, and it has really shown in the last couple of years. There were times that she would practice at Wooster High School and from there she would go on to another practice, putting in hours of work in order to be the best that she could possibly be. This really showed in her Outstanding Sophomore year at Wooster High School, not only competing within the state against boys, but also outside of the state in Top Tier Tournaments for girls on the West coast. During that season, she claimed the Sierra Nevada Classic Championship against some of the top girl wrestlers in her weight class, proving to many that she would be someone to watch out for in the country. She also placed in every boys tournament she entered in Northern Nevada that Wooster competed in, and was one of the top performers for Wooster, culminating in a 4th place finish at the Northern 4A Regionals. In hopes of building off her momentum from her Sophomore Season, things took a bit of a turn due to the COVID 19 pandemic, which resulted in the wrestling season being cancelled in Nevada. However, that did not stop her as she continued to put in the work when wrestling could continue, placing in a variety of Top Tournaments throughout the country. She is sure to have a very exciting Senior Season, which will hopefully lead to her gaining a Scholarship, allowing her to continue her wrestling career beyond high school.
-Joshua Newman (Wooster High School)
 
Man this kid is fun! Izzy has been motivated and talented from the very beginning of her wrestling career. Like most wrestling careers, Izzy’s didn’t start with instant success as she entered a room with seasoned veteran wrestlers that pushed her every day. She ended practices with a lot of bruises and a few tears as well. That said, Izzy possessed the drive and foresight to keep coming back and to keep setting her goals high. Years later, SHE is usually the one giving out the lumps and tears as she is clearly one of the best in the region. Empathetic, kind and coachable off the mat, she is an aggressive and dominating force when the whistle blows. She has been an absolute pleasure to coach and is fun to watch as well! I can’t wait to be in her corner for her senior year and to be in the stands watching when she wrestles in college. Izzy sets the bar for dedication and passion for wrestling. She has accomplished so much already, but there is no doubt in my mind that the best is just around the corner! #forward
-Michael Klapp (Reed High School)