Bixby senior wrestler reaping the benefits of a newly formed girls program

Grace Thompson one of seven Lady Spartans competing at this weekend's 6A state tournament

By Mike Moguin

Photo of Grace Thompson by Bixby Spartan Athletics Facebook page

BIXBY - Grace Thompson is one of the pioneers of Bixby girls wrestling.

The Lady Spartan senior is now enjoying the fruits of her labor, along with those before her, as her school contends for a championship this weekend in its first year as a program.

Thompson is one of seven wrestlers who qualified for the Class 6A girls state tournament Friday and Saturday in Oklahoma City, after finishing in the top five in their weight classes last week in the East Regional in Sallisaw, a tournament in which Bixby claimed the team championship. She will be wrestling at state in the 170-pound weight class.

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It was about five or six years ago when Thompson was in elementary or middle school, that she began the sport of wrestling, she said. Also wrestling with the program was older sister Emma, who graduated last year, and Ainslee Lane, a 2019 graduate. They would wrestle in practice and tournaments with boys.

Emma Thompson and Lane are now wrestling, respectively, at Central Methodist in Fayette, Mo., and Presbyterian University in Clinton, S.C.

By Thompson’s freshman year, the OSSAA mandated a girls tournament. Two years later, girls programs were allowed to compete for team championships. Then last year, the Bixby administration and athletic department approved of the girls’ program.

“It makes me glad to know that we have a full girls team now and that we have our own locker room," Thompson said. "I remember our first tournament a couple of years ago was at regionals getting ready for state. Now we have all these other tournaments we can go to and get ready for.

“Since my freshman year, I think I’ve grown a lot in technique and strength. I can get to a lot of practices easier than I used to and I think I do a lot better at tournaments, like technique wise, and I don’t get as gassed. So, my stamina is better.”

Bixby wrestler Grace Thompson

Her sister may be gone to college, but the younger Thompson still gets help from her when she needs it.

Emma Thompson, who won a state championship as a sophomore, practiced with Grace when she was in town for Christmas break.

“She helps in whatever way she can, when she’s home,” Grace Thompson said.

Being a veteran of the program has prompted Thompson to be a leader. Before the season, she and sophomore Jadyn Roller were voted by the team as captains.

The other girls on the team always turn to both Thompson and Roller for advice or direction, whether it be team issues or techniques such as a takedown, headlock, pancake and other wrestling moves.

“They come up to us a lot and ask us questions just to make sure they’re doing moves right,” Thompson said.

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Coach Paul Mayfield praises Thompson’s leadership, describing her as a vocal leader. He appreciates that she is always checking with him daily, asking how the team did with practice.

“I think that I am, but I want other people to look and see me as a leader,” Thompson said.

The Lady Spartans have been coachable, their coach recently said, but others have tried the sport and it didn’t work out, Thompson said.

“A lot of the girls are eager to learn; they’re really excited to come and they’re doing real good,” Thompson said. “But wrestling is not for everyone.

"There are some girls that have quit; it just wasn’t for them. But a lot of the girls here have a positive mindset about it and they’re learning and are excited.”

She also appreciates having Mayfield in the program.

“I like coach Mayfield a lot. He is a good girls coach,” Thompson said. “Boys and girls wrestle different and he knows how girls wrestle, and he knows what’s best for us. I’m excited to see where he goes at Bixby.

“This year, I’m excited as to where we can go. I think if the girls keep working, I think we can be state champions or runners-up. I think it will be pretty close.”

Bixby is not the only 6A school that began a girls program.

Owasso also started one and has three state qualifiers in Oklahoma this weekend, which indicates the sport, long popular and dominated among boys, is catching on with girls.

“I’m excited that it’s growing fast and I’m excited to see how fast it keeps growing,” Thompson said.