Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Young Sierra Starr has placed in every tournament she took part in this season and was part of a historic year for Federation wrestling as it was the first year for an all girls' league in Nebraska, according to her grandmother, Penny Blackman Hobbs.
Sierra Starr recently completed her first year wrestling and she was part of a group of young ladies that made state history.
Starr and all of the ladies that wrestled at the Midwest Classic Nationals in Kearney on April 2 and April 3 were the first ever full girls' league in the state.
"It is a point in history and it is awesome!" said her grandma and guardian, Penny Blackman Hobbs.
Starr made her way to the event placing in more than 20 meets this season, most recently at the state competition in Grand Island, where she took third place in the 72-78 pound weight division.
She followed that up by placing second in the national competition, beating out the young lady that bested her at state, and earning a berth to the Junior Olympics .
"We really weren't expecting that this year," Hobbs said. "So we won't be able to raise the funds in time to go to the Junior Olympics, but it is a great goal for her next year."
Jay Thurin, Starr's coach, of the Tri-State Grapplers was unable to attend her latest competition so in his stead Bridgeport's coach Armando Esparza stepped in to help out.
Though Starr won't begin training for next season in earnest until the beginning of the school year, she plans to train with her mentor, Jersey Menke of Bridgeport, at least once a month throughout the summer.
"I had a lot of fun and I can't wait to go to the Junior Olympics next year!" Starr said.
