Typically, I don’t tend to brag about my siblings’ competition, but today I’m making an exception to my cardinal rule.
In the United States, women didn’t earn the right to vote until 1920, through the passing of the 20th Amendment. It was revolutionary and frowned upon, but it was the beginning of the integration of women in a world that had been dominated by men for the entire existence of the United States. And just based on principle, it had to happen. Europeans left for the Americas in search of religious freedoms and mobility.
The country was sown on the basis to fight until you move your way to the top. That is, unless you’re Flowrestling choosing your wrestler of the week as the victor over gold Olympic medalist, Kyle Snyder. Who beat him again? Hold on. I need to make a quick google search. Oh yes. The Lantern reported it was No. 2 Adam Coon, of Michigan. His name didn’t even make the headline. But that doesn’t matter for Flowrestling.
You see, an elite woman wrestler, Kayla Miracle, earned her way to the coveted four-time national college champ making her the fourth ever woman to become member many wrestlers thirst for, but is rarely accomplished, even in men’s wrestling. Sure, she’s a talented experienced athlete with amazing coaching. But that doesn’t take away from the historical aspect of her accomplishment this Saturday when she defeated sophomore from Grays Harbor, Desiree Zavala, a two-time All-American. Miracle’s victory also allowed her team to clinch team national title, which was also Campbellsville’s first time earning this honor.
I know. This is wrestler of the week not of the last four years. But the reality is that no one truly knew who Adam Coon was until he defeated Kyle Snyder. Kayla’s victories throughout the week allowed her to not just clinch a personal title but also tally enough bonus points for a team victory. How do multiple victories that allow for two titles to come to pass not weigh more when considering wrestler of the week. Coon’s victory wasn’t enough to push Michigan over Ohio State at the end of the dual.
Miracle’s career as a wrestler is incredible notable. She was a bronze world medalist for the Junior U.S. team in addition to her college titles. She is also a member of the U.S. Women’s National Team. Yet, even on the week where we celebrate women and girl athletes across the nation for National Girls and Women in Sports Day marked on February 7th every year.
But still, Miracle’s accomplishments, were not enough to capture the attention of Flowrestling’s Wrestler of the Week. Regardless of the criteria they used, Flowrestling failed to show support for women in the sport. Despite the argument that many believe women’s wrestling rescued the sport when it was in the dumps and the IOC could care less of the diplomacy that the sport has offered worldwide. It didn’t matter.
What does matter when it comes to qualifying for a mini-feature for the popular wrestling media outlet that faces no competition? Men’s wrestling. Time and time again we are told representation matters. Flowrestling managed survive the sport almost dying. But in a era where longevity of the sport, interest of the sport matters, their decision was a slap on the face to their oxygen tank.
The Women’s Collegiate Wrestling Association (WCWA) starts their season before men’s and concludes their regular season a month before the March Matness Men’s Tournament. If the main resource that people look for doesn’t respect women’s wrestling, what message does that send to other media outlets about the sport’s growth mattering.
Here we are, almost 100 years after women earned their right to vote. Yet, here I am having to explain why a woman outperformed a man and should have earned wrestler of the week.I wonder if the genders were reversed and Coon had Miracle’s accomplishments, and Miracle had the major upset, if he would have still earned wrestler of the week.
Here I am having to run through the facts as to why Kayla Miracle was a more outstanding wrestler than Adam Coon. This isn’t to throw shade at Coon, but rather create awareness of the tunnel-minded minds at Flowrestling who are essentially biting the hand that feeds them by pulling the e-brake on women’s wrestling at the end of the season. But I thought we were all in the same battle: to support the longevity of the sport.
Like I said, I typically don’t brag about my siblings’ opposition and their accomplishments. I am totally biased to #TeamMolina and still am. My sister lost by technical fall to Miracle, once in her college career hence while I’m indifferent about her success, I’m torn about the lack of recognition for her college milestone accomplishments. In the end, this is a fight for equality and representation and Kayla’s miracle, shouldn’t be forgotten.
***Flowrestling was present at the WCWA Tournament this weekend in Oklahoma City, OK.