Breaking Barriers on the Mat: Meet the Tiny Powerhouses of Youth Wrestling

If you think wrestling is just for boys, then you clearly haven’t met Kashtyn Rice, Rory Rice and Dylan Harris—three fierce young ladies flipping the script (and their opponents) one match at a time. These pint-sized powerhouses aren’t just wrestling; they’re redefining what strength, courage and confidence look like, proving that girls belong on the mat just as much as boys.

Meet the Game-Changers

Kashtyn Rice, a 9-year-old third grader on the Coweta Youth Wrestling team, wasn’t always sure wrestling was for her.

“A friend on my cheer team wrestles and encouraged me to try it. I’m glad I did because I really like wrestling,” she says. And by ‘really like,’ she means dominating tournaments, pinning opponents and racking up medals like it’s her job.

Her younger sister, Rory Rice, is only 5 years old and already making waves in the sport.

“Beating the boys and winning a medal,” she giggles when asked what she loves most about wrestling.

Rory is in kindergarten, but she’s got the confidence of a seasoned pro. “The first time I pinned a boy and won first place in a tournament, I felt so proud!” she exclaims.

Then there’s Dylan Harris, the 7-year-old second grader who wrestles for Hurricane Wrestling Academy. Dylan was practically born into wrestling.

“My dad got me started because all my brothers and sisters wrestle… and my dad, too!” she explains. But don’t think for a second that she’s just tagging along—Dylan means business. “I like when I pin the person and get my medal or trophy. That’s the best part!”

Dylan Harris

Strength, Confidence and a Little Sass

What’s it like stepping onto the mat, knowing you’re about to take down an opponent—sometimes a boy, sometimes a girl, always someone who might think they can outmatch you? According to these young warriors, it’s a mix of excitement, nerves and pure determination.

Kashtyn remembers the moment she realized she actually could win.

“The first time I pinned somebody and won my match, it gave me more confidence. I knew I could compete in my division and maybe even win the whole thing!” she says.

Dylan keeps it simple: “When I get on the mat, I think about taking shots, sprawling, doing a move called the ‘tap and go’… and headlocking them and pinning them!” You know, just casual second-grade strategies.

And Rory? Well, she’s got her priorities straight. “I get really happy when I win a match. I feel very proud of myself, and I can’t wait to get home to put my medal on my shelf.” Because, let’s be real, winning is great, but showing off the hardware is half the fun.

Kashtyn Rice

Lessons from the Mat

Aside from the thrill of victory, wrestling has given these girls something even more valuable: strength, resilience and the belief that hard work beats talent every time. Kashtyn lives by her coach’s words: “Hard work beats talent.”

“Even if wrestling doesn’t come naturally to me, as long as I work hard, I can still be successful,” she explains.

Dylan’s biggest lesson? Bravery. “My family and coaches always tell me I’m so brave for wrestling.”

Rory’s mom keeps it real with her: “She tells me it doesn’t matter if I win or lose as long as I am brave and do my best.” That’s a lesson worth taking far beyond the wrestling mat.

A Message for Other Girls

So, what do these tiny titans say to girls who might be nervous about stepping onto the mat? The message is loud and clear: Just go for it.

“Be brave and try it! You can do anything you put your mind to,” Kashtyn encourages.

Dylan agrees: “It’s okay to be nervous. I will help them learn! It makes you strong, and you are brave for trying.”

And Rory, the firecracker, sums it up perfectly: “Just try it! You will have so much fun and feel really strong!”

Flipping the Script, One Match at a Time

These young wrestlers aren’t just competing; they’re breaking barriers, shattering stereotypes and proving that girls belong wherever they set their minds to be—even if that means headlocking their way to victory. As they continue to pin their way through tournaments, they’re not just winning medals. They’re winning respect, confidence and a place in history as the next generation of trailblazing female athletes. And to that, we say—keep pinning, keep winning and keep proving them wrong.

Dr. Tamecca Rogers serves as Director of Student Access and Success at Tulsa Technology Center. An award-winning author and filmmaker, she is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in all her endeavors. Photo by Denice Toombs-Dotson with Lasting Impressions Photography.