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Wolf sisters wrestle with family, Benton Community
Lizzy Wolf wrestles at 155-pounds and sister Emmie wrestles at 140-pounds for Benton Community
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CEDAR RAPIDS – At Monday’s Cedar Rapids Kennedy girls’ wrestling tournament, Benton Community senior Lizzy Wolf had some time before she wrestled her first match.
But, she kept busy. The senior wrestler was found matside watching and cheering on her sister, Emmie, who also wrestles for the Bobcats at 140 pounds, while also filming her match.
For Lizzy, wrestling with her sister in her final season for the Bobcats is a special experience.
“I’m really lucky for my sister to be out with me,” Lizzy said. “We have a really good connection. Wrestling together is really fun.
“I love being able to get to help her and coach her.”
For Emmie, having the opportunity to wrestle with Lizzy in her high school wrestling finale played a role in her decision to join the team.
“I went out for wrestling, because my sister (Lizzy) did it,” Emmie said. “When I was growing up, I would always say, ‘If my sister can do it, then I can do it.’”
Lizzy showed Emmie her winning ways en route to the 155-pound title at Kennedy’s girls’ wrestling tournament. In her three matches on the night, Lizzy won by bonus-point victories, including a fall over Iowa City Liberty’s Lena Acas in the quarterfinals, a 2:53 tech fall over Dubuque Senior’s Hayleigh Foster, and a 16-2 major decision over Liberty’s Peyten Van Dyke in the finals.
Additionally, Lizzy’s three victories extended her undefeated season.
“It’s been a good start,” Lizzy said. “I think last year set the standard for me. I am going to try my best. Obviously, I want to get first, but I want to have fun with my team.”
It’s no surprise that Emmie is just one of the people Lizzy can have fun with.
Even Benton Community head coach Josh Hoeck knows while the two have fun and are sisters, they have distinct personalities and bring something different to the Bobcat girls’ wrestling program.
“They are two very different personalities,” Hoeck said. “Lizzy is more stoic and is one of those who you have to know more for being goofy. Emmie is kind of goofy and silly to everybody.
“Sometimes, there is a sister glare that comes out when we need to refocus during practice, but it’s a great family that is part of our team.”
It’s those sister glares and words of encouragement that inspire Emmie to be the best she can be and it’s all thanks to the example Lizzy has set for her.
“I love how she’s always helping and coaching me through some of the moves I do,” Emmie said. “She always wants me to improve. She makes me want to push myself even harder. Just her being there supporting me makes a difference.”
Emmie isn’t the only Wolf sister to be inspired on the wrestling mat, as Lizzy was inspired by her older sister, Maddy, who was a wrestling cheerleader.
During some of those meets, Lizzy took notice of other females toeing the line and competing. Thanks to Maddy cheering, Lizzy thought she’d give wrestling a try.
“I saw some girls wrestling out there, and I thought that was really cool,” Lizzy said. “I thought I’d try that.”
She’s more than tried the sport and has excelled as a four-year captain, two-time state placewinner, and three-time state qualifier for the Bobcats.
But, there’s something more that Lizzy is proud of – the tight-knit culture that has been created within Benton Community’s girls’ wrestling program.
“I enjoy that we are all very supportive of one another,” Lizzy said. “We are always by each other’s mats and cheering each other on.
“It’s like we are a big family together.”
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