Guilford Collage Wrestler Heads to Nationals After Starting Club
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Jacie Livengood ’27, a Guilford College student, is set to compete at the National Club Wrestling Championships in Bossier City, La., from March 13-15. This remarkable achievement comes just a year after Livengood took the initiative to establish a wrestling club at the college. her journey, starting wiht posting flyers and recruiting students with even a slight interest in wrestling, has culminated in a thriving club with five wrestlers and a dedicated volunteer coach. Livengood’s qualification is based on a season-long points system, reflecting her consistent performance and dedication.
Livengood’s story is a testament to the power of student-led initiatives and the potential for new sports to find a home within a college community. Her passion for wrestling and commitment to building a wrestling community at Guilford College have paved the way for this national championship possibility.
From Flyer to Nationals: A Year of Growth
The Guilford College wrestling club’s rapid growth underscores the appeal of wrestling to students and the impact of Livengood’s initiative.What began as a solo effort to gauge interest has transformed into a recognized club sport with a growing roster of dedicated athletes. The club’s success highlights the importance of student-led initiatives and the potential for new sports to flourish within the college habitat.
Livengood expressed her initial reaction to qualifying for the national championships, saying, “I was a little shocked, a little surprised, but in a good way. But now I’ve moved on from surprise to getting ready to compete.”
This quote captures her initial disbelief and excitement, quickly followed by a determined focus on preparing for the upcoming competition.
A Passion Ignited in High School
Livengood’s wrestling journey began in high school, a decision influenced by a friend. Initially planning to pursue softball in college, she decided to give wrestling a try during her final two years at Wake Forest High School near Raleigh. This decision proved to be transformative, sparking a passion that has driven her to excel in the sport.
“I showed up (for the first practise) and I fell in love with the sport,”
Livengood said, reflecting on her early experiences with wrestling. “As then I’ve been soaking up all the data I can about it.”
This quote illustrates her immediate connection to wrestling and her ongoing commitment to learning and improving her skills.
Community and Camaraderie
Beyond the physical challenges and competitive aspects of wrestling, Livengood values the sense of community and camaraderie that the sport fosters. She emphasizes the unique bond shared among wrestlers, nonetheless of their team affiliation or location.
“No matter where you are, if you’re a wrestler, we’re all united in some way,”
she explained. “I’ve been around multiple high school and college clubs and no matter what team we’re on, we’re all united by the fact we wrestle. We all know how hard we all work to get to our goals.That brings us together.”
This quote highlights the unifying power of wrestling and the shared experiences that connect athletes across different teams and institutions.
Building a Program with Support
The Guilford College wrestling club has competed against other clubs, including Virginia Tech, East Carolina, james Madison, Clemson, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Other members of the club include William Rumley ’28, dani Santos ’28, Johnny Peake ’26, and Aaron Berry ’27. The club’s faculty advisor, Brenda Swearingin, Professor of Sport Studies, has been instrumental in providing guidance and support.
Brenda Swearingin recalled Jacie approaching her about starting the club: “I wanted desperately to swim in the state high school championships and I had teachers who volunteered to come to swim meets to sponsore me so I could swim in the championships. I’ve been fed by people who feed me. We do this as others have done for us.”
To further enhance the club’s training, Joe Smith, a wrestling coach at a nearby high school, has been hired as the club’s volunteer coach. His expertise and guidance will undoubtedly contribute to the wrestlers’ development and performance.
Guilford’s Supportive Environment
Livengood, who is also a member of Guilford’s Omicron Kappa Delta academic honors society and an Experiential design major minoring in Beliefs and Sports Marketing, credits Guilford’s supportive environment for enabling her to start the wrestling club. She believes that she would not have received the same level of encouragement and assistance at a larger institution.
“That’s one of the best things about Guilford is the faculty is always looking out for students,”
Livengood stated, emphasizing the college’s commitment to student success. She specifically acknowledged Brenda Swearingin’s crucial role in getting the program off the ground.
Brenda Swearingin added, “I never would have had this amount of support somewhere larger. I would never be taken care of as a student athlete the way I am at Guilford. and I’ve never had a coach able to give such focus to every wrestler like we do here. Guilford is small enough so that we can work on skills, and we can work on development. I’m very excited to see where this goes next year.”
Looking Ahead to Nationals
As Jacie Livengood prepares to compete at the National Club Wrestling Championships from March 13-15, her journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes and club founders. her dedication, passion, and the support she has received from Guilford College have paved the way for this remarkable achievement.The Guilford community will undoubtedly be cheering her on as she represents the college on the national stage.
from Flyer to Nationals: The Power of Student-Led Sports Initiatives
Did you know that a single student’s passion can not only create a thriving college sports club but also propel a young athlete to national competition? This remarkable story of Jacie Livengood, a Guilford College student who started a wrestling club and now heads to nationals, underscores the profound impact of student leadership and the transformative power of sport.
Interview with Dr. Anya Sharma, Professor of Sports management and Leadership
World-Today-News.com Senior Editor: Dr. Sharma, Jacie livengood’s journey from creating a wrestling club to qualifying for the national championships is truly inspirational. What makes student-led initiatives like this so impactful within a college environment?
Dr. Sharma: Jacie’s story perfectly illustrates the dynamic energy and commitment that student-led initiatives bring to a college campus.It’s a powerful demonstration of grassroots sports development; the initiative fosters a sense of ownership and obligation among students.when students lead the charge,the program becomes less about mandated participation and more about building community and fostering passion—that passion is contagious. We see this in the rapid growth of the Guilford College wrestling club, increasing engagement and participation levels which are crucial for the longevity and success of any collegiate program.This highlights a crucial need – colleges should actively encourage and support student-led sports development.
World-Today-News.com Senior Editor: The article mentions Guilford College’s supportive environment as a key factor in Livengood’s success. How critically important is institutional support in facilitating such student-driven endeavors?
Dr. Sharma: Institutional support is absolutely critical. it’s not enough for colleges to simply allow student-led initiatives; they need to actively facilitate them. This involves providing resources,guidance,and mentorship. Access to funding, coaching support, training facilities – even procedural assistance – significantly impacts a program’s chance of success. Guilford’s support for Livengood and her club shows a real understanding of this principle. The mentoring provided by Brenda Swearingin, the faculty advisor, is a great example of effective coaching and support. This shows colleges benefit greatly from establishing clear pathways and providing support for student-led initiatives. Colleges should create robust frameworks to support emerging sports and student organizations, streamlining the processes for access to resources and coaching.
World-Today-News.com Senior Editor: What are some of the broader implications of Livengood’s success? Are there lessons here for other colleges and universities looking to enhance their athletic programs?
Dr. Sharma: Jacie’s achievement offers valuable lessons for colleges and universities, highlighting the importance of:
Promoting Student Leadership: Colleges should actively cultivate student leadership in sports by providing training and opportunities for students to take the initiative in developing and managing athletic clubs.
fostering Collaboration: Successful sports programs often rely on robust partnerships. livengood’s success highlights the value of collaboration between students, staff, faculty advisors, and the wider community.
Embracing Diversity: Student-led initiatives can help expand athletic opportunities on campus, creating a more inclusive and diverse athletic landscape. The emergence to niche sports,often overlooked,shows how even wrestling can find a thriving niche in college settings.
Colleges should view student-led initiatives not just as extracurricular activities but as potential vehicles for innovation and growth within their athletic departments.
World-Today-news.com Senior Editor: Beyond the athletic achievement, what are the key life skills that students develop through involvement in initiatives like Livengood’s wrestling club?
Dr. Sharma: The benefits extend far beyond athletic competition. Participating in such initiatives builds critical skills, including:
Leadership and Organizational Skills: Planning events, managing resources, and building teams require a range of leadership capacities.
Problem-Solving and Teamwork: Overcoming challenges and achieving goals necessitate collaborative problem-solving skills.
Resilience and Perseverance: Facing setbacks and bouncing back strengthens character significantly. The grit to tackle tough challenges builds character and perseverance. Through such experiences, students learn to cope with stress and grow as individuals.
Thes transferable skills are extremely valuable in the professional world, making active participation in this a form of essential life skills preparation.
World-Today-News.com Senior Editor: What’s your final take-away for our readers, Dr.Sharma, regarding the importance of Livengood’s story?
Dr. Sharma: Jacie Livengood’s story is a testament to the power of individual passion, determination, and the importance of collaboration. It shows how a single student’s vision, combined with institutional support, can create something truly remarkable. It’s a powerful statement about the transformative potential of student-led initiatives, not only in shaping collegiate athletics but also in fostering personal growth and shaping future leaders.I urge readers to consider how they can support similar initiatives in their own communities and institutions. Let’s encourage the next generation of student leaders. Share your thoughts below, and let’s discuss how we can all play a role in making such success stories more common.