Notre Dame Academy freshman Mya Beckett has her year set out for her as she is balancing school and a sport little known to Tritons: wrestling. 

For Beckett, wrestling is more than just a sport. It is a lifestyle.

Beckett trains six days a week. She frequently travels around the state to work with some top trainers and teammates. Beckett’s dedication has been paying off with major accomplishments at both the state and national level.

“I’ve been wrestling for six years. I got into it because my brother and my dad both wrestled. My dad wrestled in high school, and my brother, Mycah, now competes in college at UW-LaCrosse,” Beckett shared.

The sport of wrestling has taken Beckett beyond the walls of NDA. She is a member of the Wisconsin 14U National Dual Team and has been for the past two years. She has also wrestled with the Badgers Girls Elite team. 

Last year, Beckett ventured to Washington D.C. for a national competition. She competed in the 14U as well as going up a year and competing in the 15U brackets. Beckett placed 4th in the 14U division and 6th in the 15U.

“I wanted to get better competition than just Wisconsin Going out of state and competing at nationals was a great experience and helped me grow so much,” said the freshman. 

A return to nationals is in Beckett’s sights for this year. She will move up to the 15U and 17U Brackets. In preparation, she practices almost every day. 

Twice a week Beckett trains with her coach Nazar Kulchytskyy in Neenah. Four times a week, she either travels to Milwaukee to train or stays in Green Bay to train with other trusted coaches. 

With wrestling generally deemed a male-dominated sport, Beckett has gotten used to the surprised reactions of people who first hear that she is a wrestler.

“As a girl, most people are amazed when I say I wrestle,” she explained.

For Beckett, the breaking of expectations isn’t what means the most. It’s the friendships and shared goals she has acquired during her career. 

“My favorite part of this sport is the friends I’ve made with the same goals as me,” she said. “It’s really fun to be around people who want you to succeed.”