Magnet senior Laila Sain (125) found her passion for wrestling during her freshman year when she decided to cheer on her friend Jack Brillinger (285) at a home wrestling meet. After attending that first meet, Sain felt drawn to the unique sport and instantly knew she wanted to try it out. Even while occupied with color guard, theater, the magnet program and the other various clubs she attends, Sain tried out for the NC girls wrestling team her sophomore year and officially joined the Lady Warriors.
“When I joined the team in my sophomore year I didn’t realize how difficult the sport really is. I think it often gets misconstrued as people sometimes think it’s light work, but I personally think it’s one of the hardest sports at NC. Wrestling takes a lot of time and you have to be committed to everything you do. You can join the wrestling team but if you’re not putting effort and you’re not conditioning, you won’t be able to build your skill set. Without conditioning and practice you will almost like lose your magic and won’t be able to go very far at all,” Sain said.
Wrestling involves two competitors and a referee, with the primary objective of accumulating the highest tally of points. In high school folkstyle wrestling, a takedown scores three points, a reversal earns two points, an escape earns one point and nearly pinning an opponent earns up to four points, depending on the period. Wrestlers overall work to pin the opponent by keeping both of their shoulders and back to the mat. Sain has mastered various strategies to help pin her opponents, including her favorite move: a half-nelson. Over time, Sain has perfected this skill, precisely using her arms to lock and control her opponent, which has led her to numerous pins and victories.
“Laila is a three-year wrestler and set the bar high last year. I expect big things for her this year, especially going to regionals next week. We love having her on the team as she has such a great attitude, works extremely hard every single day on the team and is just such a great person to be around. We will miss her a lot next year, but I wish her luck in her future and hope that she comes back to visit us sometimes,” Lady Warriors coach Jacob Longacre said.
Wrestlers on the girls’ team look up to Sain due to her skills and positive attitude. Sain comes into wrestling, whether a match or practice, immensely focused and completely committed. Even on the sidelines, Sain cheers on her team and helps to coach them through matches while maintaining a positive attitude whether they win or lose. Throughout her years on the team, Sain has bonded with her teammates and plans to keep close relationships with them even after she graduates.
“Laila is genuinely one of the best wrestlers and one of the best people on our team. She is so consistent and will never give up in a match like she could be down and would still never stop fighting. Her consistency inspires me and the other girls and it makes me want to do better every single day,” teammate magnet junior Idong Okpok (140) said.
Sain hopes to finish this season competing in state February 13 and maintain her strong record. Throughout her senior year, she has worked to remain consistent and continue to learn and grow as a wrestler, while continuing her other various activities. Even though Sain decided not to continue wrestling in the future, she will take the skills, hard work, commitment, dedication and drive that she learned from wrestling and use them in her future. As of now, Sain plans to attend either Roosevelt University or Mercer University and double major in theater and elementary education.
The Chant wishes Sain good luck in her final season at NC and her future ahead.
Aria • Jan 27, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Wow. I love your work. So enticing and entertaining.