Jessica Walker places first in state

Amancai BirabenStaff WriterThe stereotypical wrestler for most people is a burly male in an oversized muscle shirt. Junior Jessica Walker, current first place female wrestler in the state of California, challenges this status quo.After placing second place last year in the state competition, Walker developed a desire to place first this year. Although this yearning motivated her to perform at her best, it was her natural instincts that ultimately earned her the first place trophy.“I’m a very competitive person by nature,” Walker said. “I don’t like being pinned on my back.”Though Walker admits second place is still a worthy accomplishment, she claims that she fell short of her goals because she didn’t put forth enough effort.“I was lazy,” Walker said. “I didn’t put in the time and effort to achieve being number one.”To achieve this goal Walker devoted the majority of her time to training to get into better shape.“I’ve lost 35 pounds since last year. I’ve gotten more athletic, especially by doing cardio workouts,” Walker said. “I also mastered certain moves.”In addition to her determined mentality, her improved physical shape contributed immensely to her success.“Her two best physical features are her strength and her balance,” Samo wrestling coach Mark Black said. “They make her a strong athlete.”According to Black, it is important to keep both her attitude and physical strength in mind during duels.“She came with great balance and strength, which I helped her develop,” Black said. “She was born a good athlete, and her knowledge of her body is far more superior than her competitors.”This agility translates to another one of Walker’s passions—dancing. Since an early age, dance has been another major part of her life. However, after being on the Samo Songleaders for a semester, Walker discovered that it was too time-consuming and decided to quit.“I love dancing. It’s my passion. I love performing for people,” Walker said. “But I’ve been getting college offers for wrestling, where as I didn’t get anything like that from dance.”Though typically polar opposites, Walker believes that dance and wrestling have many similarities.“They both help me get my moves a lot faster. Wrestling, in a way, is like choreography,” Walker said.Walker imagines herself wrestling in college, but whether or not she will pursue wrestling professionally is still undecided.“If it takes me that far, then maybe. Otherwise, I’d like to be a historian or a veterinarian,” Walker said.Aside from wrestling, she is currently involved in a program called Youth and Government which teaches teenagers about government and law. In her free time, Walker spends time volunteering in animal shelters.For some, it may seem nerve-wracking to perform in the spotlight. But for Walker, that’s the best part of her passions.“I love the glory after winning,” Walker said. “I like the fact that no one else can take your glory.”Although Walker has a passion for wrestling, her passion for winning is what ultimately turns her goals into realities.“The thing I love about wrestling is the lifting of my hand after the match. I’m not necessarily in love with wrestling,” Walker said.  “I’m just in love with winning.”abiraben@thesamohi.com