In the male-dominated world of high school wrestlers, two local female students are feeling right at home with their respective teams.
Freshmen Shana DeVoe of Brandon and C.C. Weber of Goodrich have seen action for their varsity teams this season, and both say they have been accepted as part of their teams and are learning as much as possible in their first years competing at the high school level.
DeVoe, who competes at the 112-lb. level, said she is currently 6-8 competing in varsity matches for the Blackhawks, while Weber has compiled a 12-8 record at the 103-lb. level this year for Goodrich.
Weber has been wrestling for five years, competing at the middle school and youth club levels prior to this year. She is the younger sister of Goodrich sophomore Mark Weber, who won the Division 3 state championship at 103 lbs. last year and is 45-0 this year, wrestling at 112 lbs.
However, she said that makes no difference in how she fits in with the rest of the team. ‘They treat me like everyone else,? she said.
Weber said wrestling at the high school level is ‘much harder? because she only lost three times at the middle school level. ‘This year, I’m a lot lighter than 103 and they’re a lot stronger,? she said.
This year, Weber has sparred in practice with freshman David Garr, who has compiled a 35-11 record at the 103-lb. level this season. Weber said she expects Garr will do well in the state tournament in March at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
Weber said she has recently gained confidence by defeating her last three opponents, two by pinfall and one by technical fall.
However, she’d be the first to tell you she has a long way to go.
‘I personally don’t think I’ve accomplished much this year,? she said. ‘I hope to do better next year. I hope to have a varsity spot next year at 103 lbs.?
Weber also said she hopes to end this year on a positive note and ‘wrestle as best as I can.?
Like Weber, DeVoe has spent five years wrestling at the middle school level, competing with the Brandon Bandits of the Mid-Michigan Wrestling Association.
She said the biggest difference in wrestling at the high school level is ‘the physical condition of every wrestler is several notches up.?
DeVoe also said the guys on the team have been supportive of her, and she has earned her varsity letter in wrestling this season.
She competed in her first match of the season Nov. 30, 2005 against Waterford Kettering, which she said gave her a good idea of where she stood and where she needed improvement.
DeVoe hopes to continue her improvement through the remainder of the season, and also intends to compete in the United States Girls Wrestling Association national championship meet Apr. 1-2 at Lake Orion High School.