FIGHT
GIRL LIKE A
STEPHENS COUNTY LADIES WRESTLE THEIR WAY INTO NEW FAMILY BEGINNINGS
STORY BY ANDY MORPHEW | PHOTOS BY ANDY MORPHEW , JASON HODGES AND SUBMITTED
The term of making it to the Big House took a new meaning four years ago in Stephens County when the first set of girls began to wrestle their way into becoming part of the area wrestling family .
In February 2022 , the first female wrestler in Comanche , Hannah Koen , placed fourth in the State Wrestling Championship . This year it is Brook West who continues to shape her path in wrestling . West , a freshman for the Lady Indians in her final year of wrestling at the Junior High State Tournament , became the first State Champion at that level and now continues to blaze her own path in the history books .
A few weeks later , West , at the high school level , placed third in the 190 bracket after coming into the tournament as the first Regional Champion at the high school level .
Reflecting on her first year of high school wrestling and last year at the junior high level , West believes it is an honor and feels this is the sport that she enjoys .
“ I think it ’ s an honor that I made it this far . I worked really hard . I have a lot of tough competitors for my side of the brackets and I try my best to win ,” West said . “ Once I started wrestling , I found a family . I feel accepted and I found something that I ’ m somewhat good at .”
Being accepted into the family of wrestling is something that inspires West , who aims to inspire others to follow in her path .
“ I am just glad that I ’ m here to help build it . I was one of the first ones . So I ’ ve just got to help guide the rest of the girls ,” West said . “ Maybe help them stay along while making it bigger for our school because we are a small school and hoping to make our program bigger . One of my goals is a state championship , but also a goal is to work hard . You ’ ve always got to work hard to improve . You have to have responsibility while being dedicated with wrestling as it is a hard sport . You ’ ve really got to be tough to do this .”
Her head coach is Coach Casy Rowell , who graduated
14 DUNCAN MAGAZINE | SPRING 2023