Phoebe Dowty, a sophomore from Indian Creek, on the verge of pinning an opponent in November.
Rob Baker | For the Daily Journal
Even three years later, Indian Creek wrestling coach Pat Dowty remembers the talk and all it entailed.
Dowty’s oldest child, Phoebe, a seventh-grader at the time who had grown up around the mat, asked if she could test herself on it as an athlete against the young men she watched her father mentor.
Dad said no, his protective instincts kicking into high gear. Phoebe persisted, her stubbornness and rationale eventually placing his concerns in a cradle hold.
Phoebe had heard her father, a 1997 Franklin graduate and state finalist as a senior, discuss the benefits of a sport he’s been in for most of his life. She wondered aloud why she — or any female, for that matter — couldn’t benefit in the same way.
Jump ahead to today.
Phoebe Dowty is a sophomore and in the Braves’ starting lineup for a second consecutive year. Classmate Hannah Seitzinger, whose father, Casey, is the volunteer wrestling coach at Indian Creek Middle School, is also competing for the Braves.
“I grew up in the wrestling room. I wanted to try it to prove to myself that I could be in there with the boys as well,” Hannah Seitzinger said. “They’ve accepted Phoebe and I from day one. It’s been cool to be part of the team. The best choice of my life.
“When we were younger, me and Phoebe used to talk about how excited we would be to be team managers someday. We laugh about that now.”
Not long ago, their participation might’ve been viewed with skepticism. Or worse, total disapproval.
However, the recent rocket-like ascent in the popularity of girls wresting is evident throughout Indiana. Senior Anna Krejsa is part of the Center Grove team; sophomore Natalie Flores wrestles at Greenwood and freshmen Ayla Stevenson and Jayden Forbus compete at Franklin.
According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, the number of girls participants grew from 5,000 in 2008 to 16,562 a decade later. Since 1998, a total of 32 states have separate state wrestling tournaments for girls, with others considering the idea.
In Indiana alone, 181 girls wrestlers representing 112 high schools participated in the 2020-21 postseason tournament.
The noticeable upswing in female competitors has made it possible for IndianaMat.com to unveil individual top 10 girls rankings. Krejsa is considered the No. 1 in the state at 126 pounds, Seitzinger is third in the 132 class and Phoebe Dowty is ranked seventh at 120.
Additionally, female-only wrestling tournaments continue to pop up throughout the state, creating additional opportunities for exposure should they desire for the opportunity to wrestle at the collegiate level.
Seitzinger, for instance, participated last weekend at the Penn Invitational in Mishawaka. Krejsa has received interest from college women’s wrestling programs, and in mid-January she plans to announce where she’ll continue her career.
As coach Dowty promised, the physical and mental challenges wrestling offers have produced positive results.
“It’s been a huge confidence booster. I can go talk to people. I believe in myself more,” Seitzinger said. “Before, I was shy and very anxious about everything.”
Krejsa, the nation’s 10th-ranked 126-pounder among females, began gravitating toward the sport while watching younger brother, Wyatt, now a sophomore and the starting 132-pounder for Center Grove.
“I started my sophomore year,” Anna Krejsa said. “My brother had wrestled before me, and I had watched him mat-side. I needed a challenge. I needed to work hard at something every day — and regret not starting sooner.
“Before I wrestled, I struggled with confidence, and even had some anxiety. I would say a lot of those things are on their way out. And it’s definitely brought me and my brother closer. Now that we both wrestle, it’s a game-changer.”
Flores is in the unique position of being able to inspire interest in wrestling among girls at Greenwood.
Just as Seitzinger and Phoebe Dowty started a domino effect at Indian Creek, Flores, a 145-pounder for the Woodmen, may eventually have the same impact.
“Natalie is the first girl wrestler we’ve ever had,” eighth-year Greenwood coach Jay Yates said. “IGirls wrestling is considered an emerging sport, and I think she’s helping lead the way. I think in two or three years, girls wrestling will be a sanctioned sport by the IHSAA.”
Until then.
