Liliauna Nold, a freshman at Rock Creek High School, is already making a name for herself on the wrestling mat. Inspired by her brothers, she began wrestling at a young age and has been dedicated to the sport for a decade.
“The atmosphere at practice is great, we are always laughing and making jokes,” Nold said. “But we also put in our effort, and at meets we always try and watch each other.”
That supportive energy carries over beyond practice. The camaraderie among the Rock Creek wrestlers is strong, with teammates cheering each other on, win or lose. But despite the fun, wrestling isn’t without its challenges.
“I would say the hardest part about it is not getting in your head and psyching yourself out,” Nold said. “My least favorite thing is either how physically and mentally draining it can be or how nervous I get before all my matches.”
Brooklyn Burenheide, a senior who wrestles at Rock Creek, has known Nold for 11 years and has watched her grow more confident as a wrestler. Brooklyn has noticed many qualities about Nold that makes her not only a good wrestler, but also a good person.
“Lili is very outgoing, she always has something funny to say,” Burenheide said. “She is also a very determined and hard working person.”
That determination hasn’t gone unnoticed by her peers. Fellow freshman Ali Wilcoxson believes in Nold’s potential and praises not only her skill, but also her one-of-a-kind personality.
“Oh my. Lili is just her own being,” Wilcoxson said. “She can be incredibly rambunctious or just be completely mellow. And she can always make me laugh at any time.”
With her dedication, talent and the unwavering support of her team, Nold is proving that she’s more than just a rising star – she’s a force to be reckoned with on and off the mat.
