By Ken Hansard
Katelyn Griffin, junior wrestler for the Smoky Valley Vikings, started wrestling before there was a clear-cut girls’ division. For some young female athletes, that kind of challenge can be daunting, but Griffin has used it as an opportunity to learn and grow, “From a young age, I was drawn to the challenge, competition, and thrill of pushing myself. Wrestling tests both strength and mindset, and nothing beats the confidence of proving myself on the mat. When I was younger, they hadn’t created girls only wrestling yet, so beating boys in matches gave me a sense of satisfaction. Sports have taught me discipline, teamwork, and resilience, and they keep me motivated to grow every day.”
Griffin’s growth and ascension on the mat has truly been impressive. Katelyn qualified for KSHSAA State as a freshman, winning regionals, and again as a Regional Runner-Up as a sophomore. She was the CKL champ as a sophomore last year. She additionally won fifth place at the USA Wrestling Kansas Kids State Championship. She currently boasts an overall career record of 70-12. “These results mean a lot to me because they represent my growth, consistency, and the hard work I’ve put in. Competing at that level pushed me to challenge myself and to continue to strive to improve as a wrestler.”
Katelyn’s also off to a great start as a junior, with a perfect 10-0 record at the time of this article. As an upperclassman, Griffin is now focused on giving back to the sport and helping to pass along the Vikings’ culture to her teammates, “I see my role as a teammate who brings a strong work ethic and a positive attitude to the team. I stay committed to doing my part and encouraging my teammates while helping the team reach its goals.”
Griffin also wanted to be sure that she could give a shout out to her parents and her many mentors and coaches who have helped her to get to this point. As for where she and her teammates are right now in the season, she says, “I feel like both the team and I are in a solid place right now. We’ve improved with each meet, learning from every match, and built confidence as the season progresses. Our focus is on growth, persistence, and being at our best when it matters most.”
Besides wrestling, Griffin also plays softball, where she was a Second Team All-CKL performer for the Vikings last year. She is also heavily involved in 4-H. In the classroom, Griffin boasts an impressive 3.8 GPA and would eventually like to pursue a career in nursing while competing in softball or wrestling at the collegiate level.
