Wheeling Park Girls Wrestling

Gabrielle Contraguerro, Staff Writer

March 25, 2026

Wheeling Park Girls Wrestling has flourished this past year and they will not go unnoticed. These strong ladies recently won the Parkersburg Winter Invitational that put them on the map.

Daniel Doyle, is the head wrestling coach here at Park, prepares the lady and although wrestling is a male- dominated sport, these ladies take charge and make it their own.

The girls wrestling team has doubled in numbers since last year. Mr. Doyle had been adapting ever since.

Abigail O’Donnell, a sophomore and a wrestler at Wheeling Park, claims that wrestling has changed the outlook on her life.

“Being a girl wrestler has changed the aspect of my life because it really shows me that even when things get hard and you think you don’t have anything left, that you need to dig deep and fight even harder and never give up. That applied on and off the mat,” said O’Donnell.

Wrestling also comes with mental and physical problems which are often not talked about.

”Being a girl wrestler has came with some challenges including the state not sanctioning it, being pushed extra hard by practicing with the boys, and having to cut weight in a healthy way,” said O’Donnell.

Kymber Nevelynn, a sophomore and a returning member of the girls wrestling team, has expressed what the change in girls wrestling felt like.

“ It’s definitely been a big change and an adjustment, but it is so freeing to have close friends on this team that support me. It’s brought me joy to my wrestling journey and I love sharing this amazing sport with the other girls,” said Nevelynn.

Wrestling has also taught her some valuable life lessons.

”Wrestling takes a lot out of you everyday but it’s helped me learn lots of new things. Wrestling has taught me how important it is to stay calm in stressful situations in a match or during a test. I have learned that I am paving the way for other girls and female wrestling not just for Park, but the state. It feels good to know that I’m creating and supporting something so amazing such as girls wrestling. I have had so much support from teachers, classmates, and all my coaches across my sports,” said Nevelynn.

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About the Contributor

Gabrielle Contraguerro, Staff Writer

Gabrielle Contraguerro, a sophomore at Wheeling Park High School, is a Staff Writer for the Park Press. Gabrielle is a first-year member of the Speech and Debate team at Wheeling Park . Her events on the Speech team are Prose and Poetry. Not only is she on the Speech team, but she is also involved with the Arts at Wheeling Park. Gabrielle is a straight-A student who does everything in theater and acting. Gabrielle has won writing contests, has been published in the Park Press numerous times, and has always had a love for writing. These accomplishments have given Gabrielle many privileges to act upon her interests. In Gabrielle’s freshman year, she had the opportunity to attend the ACDA, All-State Honor Choir, where she was informed about different styles and techniques of choir singing. She has experienced many opportunities that have helped her flourish into the person she is today.