Athlete of the Week: Pyper Wood

Jonah Kramer, Sports Editor • Dec 22, 2021

Wood qualified for the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association (IWCOA) State Tournament her freshman and sophomore seasons.

She was ranked top ten in her class last season and began this season ranked top 40 in the state (regardless of class.)

Favorite Memory of Career: Going undefeated in the regular season last year.

Hardest Part of Wrestling: “Definitely the mental aspect of it. You have to keep standing up each time you get knocked down and after a while it gets tiring, but you just have to keep going.”

Source of Inspiration: “The feeling after you win a match. You are absolutely just tired and dead inside after six minutes is over . . . when the ref raises your hand . . . it’s great.”

Goal for this Season: Wood’s goal is to place at the inaugural IHSA Girls Wrestling State Tournament.

The Impact of Girls Wrestling Becoming an Official IHSA Sport: “It is a big opportunity because girls wrestling and guys wrestling is just so much different.” Wood says the change levels the playing field and makes the sport “a lot more fun.”

Message to Females Who Are Interested in Wrestling but may be Hesitant to Join: “Go for it. You’re going to like it more than you think you might . . it makes you a stronger person.”

Favorite School Subject: Math

Other Activities: Swimming, Math Team

Favorite TV Show: “High Q”

What’s Next? Wood and the Community girls wrestling team’s next tournament is in Schaumburg on Jan. 8.

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About the Contributor

Jonah Kramer, Sports Editor

Jonah Kramer is a senior at Normal Community High School and participates in Best Buddies, FBLA and cross country. This is his second year working with the Inkspot, where he is a senior staff reporter. A random fact about me is that my front tooth has been broken five different times. My favorite film is Knives Out. What inspires me is Jesus Christ.