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When Makenna Manning was an eighth grader, she was the only girl interested in joining the McAlester High School wrestling team. Now, she is the first female in program history to sign a National Letter of Intent to continue her wrestling career in college.
“I hope it sets a bar,” Manning said. “Being able to see that it is possible to come out of McAlester and wrestle on another level, I hope it inspires a lot more people, especially the girls.”
Manning always had a love for wrestling and was a manager for the boys team in eighth grade. Coach Kydel Billy pushed her to pursue her passion and with the support of other girls, McAlester officially formed a girls team in 2021.
“I didn’t want to warm up with the boys,” Manning said. “Girls wrestling in Oklahoma wasn’t as big as it is now and so I talked with a friend of mine and I was like, ‘if you do it, I’ll do it.”
Billy said he remembers the day Manning shared her interest in joining the team and how hard she worked to help grow the McAlester program.
“She talked to me one day about trying it, and she put her heart into it,” Billy said. “She helped grow the girls program here and I’m very thankful for her putting the work in and helping grow this sport.”
Manning finished her high school career with 49 wins and was part of McAlester’s first girls dual meet win over Tahlequah on Jan. 30. She also placed sixth in the OSSAA girls 6A East Regional to qualify for the state tournament as an alternate in the 110-pound class.
Northern Oklahoma College introduced its girls wrestling program in 2024 after the NJCAA officially sanctioned women’s wrestling for the 2020 school year. After she signed with the Mavericks on Tuesday, Manning said she hopes to be a role model for other young girls interested in wrestling and inspire them to follow their heart.
“Just to never stop putting in work and know it is possible,” Manning said. “I feel like it’s good to keep positive thoughts, work hard and I hope that I can inspire others by doing so myself.”
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“I hope it sets a bar,” Manning said. “Being able to see that it is possible to come out of McAlester and wrestle on another level, I hope it inspires a lot more people, especially the girls.”
Manning always had a love for wrestling and was a manager for the boys team in eighth grade. Coach Kydel Billy pushed her to pursue her passion and with the support of other girls, McAlester officially formed a girls team in 2021.
“I didn’t want to warm up with the boys,” Manning said. “Girls wrestling in Oklahoma wasn’t as big as it is now and so I talked with a friend of mine and I was like, ‘if you do it, I’ll do it.”
Billy said he remembers the day Manning shared her interest in joining the team and how hard she worked to help grow the McAlester program.
“She talked to me one day about trying it, and she put her heart into it,” Billy said. “She helped grow the girls program here and I’m very thankful for her putting the work in and helping grow this sport.”
Manning finished her high school career with 49 wins and was part of McAlester’s first girls dual meet win over Tahlequah on Jan. 30. She also placed sixth in the OSSAA girls 6A East Regional to qualify for the state tournament as an alternate in the 110-pound class.
Northern Oklahoma College introduced its girls wrestling program in 2024 after the NJCAA officially sanctioned women’s wrestling for the 2020 school year. After she signed with the Mavericks on Tuesday, Manning said she hopes to be a role model for other young girls interested in wrestling and inspire them to follow their heart.
“Just to never stop putting in work and know it is possible,” Manning said. “I feel like it’s good to keep positive thoughts, work hard and I hope that I can inspire others by doing so myself.”
Continue reading...
