My name is Angely Mendez, and I’m a sophomore at May River High School, a club wrestler, and a proud member of the South Carolina National Girls Team. Wrestling has become one of the fastest-growing sports for girls in the country, and I’m determined not to get left behind as this movement continues to make history. This sport has changed my life in ways words can barely explain. Wrestling found me during difficult times and gave me something I desperately needed: purpose, discipline, confidence, and a community that refused to let me quit on myself. When life felt heavy, the mat became the one place where I could channel pain into growth, fear into strength, and doubt into determination. The girls wrestling community showed me what resilience looks like. It showed me what it means to fight not only for wins, but for yourself. A huge part of my journey has been my club, Reverence Wrestling Club, and my coach, Blake, who has believed in me, pushed me, and helped me grow into the wrestler and person I am today. Reverence is more than a wrestling room — it’s a family. The support, discipline, and culture there have helped shape my mindset both on and off the mat, and I’m incredibly grateful to represent a club that pours so much into its athletes. Every early morning, every exhausting practice, every cut, bruise, and sacrifice has been worth it because wrestling has given me something priceless: belief in who I can become. I’ve had the honor of competing at some of the biggest events in the country, including Super 32 and Virginia Nationals, and I am now preparing for Fargo after earning my spot on the South Carolina National Girls Team. Fargo is not just another tournament — it is one of the biggest stages in wrestling, where the best athletes in the nation go to prove themselves. For me, this is bigger than competition. This is an opportunity to represent my state, my team, my family, my club, and every young girl fighting to make her mark in a sport that is finally getting the recognition it deserves. Girls wrestling is exploding across the nation. Doors are opening that didn’t exist just a few years ago, and the level of competition continues to rise every single season. I’ve worked relentlessly to put myself in position to compete at this level, and I refuse to let financial limitations stop me from chasing an opportunity I’ve earned through hard work and sacrifice. The reality is that elite wrestling is expensive. Travel, tournament fees, training camps, hotels, transportation, and gear all add up quickly. That is why I am asking for support. Every donation, no matter the amount, directly helps me continue this journey and compete against the best in the country. I do not take any of this for granted. I know how rare and special these opportunities are, and I carry immense gratitude for every coach, teammate, supporter, and person who believes in me. Wrestling has built me into someone stronger mentally, emotionally, and physically, and I am committed to continuing to grow, compete, and inspire other girls coming into this sport after me. Thank you for believing in my journey, believing in girls wrestling, and helping me continue chasing something bigger than myself. — Angely Mendez