Posted by Sudbury Northern Life Reporter Sabrina Byrnes
"She's got determination, she's got the drive, she's got the heart," said Heather Downey, teacher liaison for the Sudbury Secondary School wrestling team.
Sarah Hirschfeld, a Grade 12 student at Sudbury Secondary School, has been wrestling for the past five years and is currently undefeated in her region. She also wrestles with the Rayside Wrestling Club and is ranked third in Ontario in her division, according to the Ontario Amateur Wrestling Association.
Hirschfeld was named Athlete of the Week for the week of Feb. 9-13 by the Sudbury District Secondary Schools' Athletic Association.
The wrestler's interest in the sport was sparked in Grade 9 after she attended one of the practices. She said she was always interested in sports, but felt she wasn't very good at it. She gave it a try and said it was a lot of hard work, but it was fun and rewarding.
"I kind of fell in love with it," Hirschfeld said, adding it's a great way to stay in shape, improves flexibility and strength, and relieves stress.
She said if you're having a bad day, just jump on the
mat and sweat it out.
Wrestling is a sport where you can see the results of your hard
work, the 18-year-old added. "It just makes me feel good."
Hirschfeld competed at the recent Ron Preston Memorial Wrestling City Championships, held at Chelmsford Valley District Secondary School, where she continued with her winning ways. In the 61-kg weight class, took the gold after pinning Jenna Schroeder from Lockerby Composite School.
The event was a qualifier for the upcoming NOSSA championships, being held Feb. 20 in Sault Ste. Marie. However, Hirschfeld's main goal is to win at OFSAA. She competed last year in the provincial event, but did not place.
"I'm shooting for top three, but why not shoot for the top," she said. "I figure this is my year."
Downey would also like to see Hirschfeld compete at OFSAA.
"She has been a total leader on the wrestling team," the teacher said.
She added Hirschfeld is always helping out.
"She'll help (other teammates) with technique to her own disadvantage. She'll work with kids that aren't as trained ... just to improve them."
She said Hirschfeld is competitive, but only with herself.
Downey said she has seen the young wrestler give her opponents technical advice after walking off the mat at a competition.
"She's just the epitome of sportsmanship."
While wrestling is her passion, Hirschfeld is also on the swim team, cross-country team and was captain of the soccer team for the past four years. She said wrestling comes first - her other sports are used as training tools to get her in top shape for wrestling.
"This is where I belong, this is what I'm good at," she said.
This is Hirschfeld's last year of high school. She will be attending the University of Ottawa in September, where she will be taking environmental studies. She said she hopes to continue wrestling competitively with a club, and would like to pursue the coaching aspect when she gets older.
