For someone who just started wrestling at the high school level and is the only girl on the 2020-2021 Columbus High Wrestling team, Marissa Anderson shows girls of all ages that they can be anything. 

Though Anderson was only able to compete in two tournaments this season, she made the most of both appearances. At the Battle Creek invite, Anderson took fourth place. She only has had a total of six matches but her competition was extremely difficult. She wrestled the eventual 109lb state champ twice, the 109lb bronze medalist, and lost to the 117lb state champion in the first round at the state meet.

Regardless, she has had a great season and according to Coach Keiswetter, she is already practicing with next season in mind. Coaches are hopeful that they can work out the schedule better to get her to more tournaments. 

When being the only girl on a team full of boys, it can be very intimidating.  However, according to Keiswetter, Anderson has earned everyone's respect, wrestlers and coaches alike. Her mental and physical toughness along with her work ethic has played a huge part in the boys accepting her as one of them.

Although there are some things that were not so easy for her, her coaches are happy with how she took on all of the obstacles and never complained. She just wants to achieve her goals just like anyone else would.

“There have been many hardships. For example, trying to stay positive when people tell me "It's not right for a girl to be on a team with all boys", "she won't last", and other rude comments. And even just being treated differently because I am a girl” stated Anderson. Anderson has wanted to wrestle ever since middle school but was afraid of what others would think. This year though she mustered up the courage to go out because she was curious and plans to continue the sport throughout high school, and will hopefully get a scholarship to wrestle in college.

Overall, the first person to step through the threshold into the unknown is likely to take it in the teeth. Luckily, Marissa Anderson is an exceptionally tough individual, and all future female wrestlers at CHS will have a well-blazed trail for them when they get here.

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