Students wrestle with gender disparity in sports

By Kristy King
Staff Writer

16-year-old Lindsay Timbs has pin-pointed her career goals, but she’s also a pro at pinning athletes on the mat.

Timbs is an Ypsilanti High junior dual-enrolled in the WCC STEM program at WCC with a passion for wrestling.

“Wrestling is so fun,” Timbs said. “I grew up watching my older brothers compete… it’s definitely hard, but it’s really rewarding.”

Timbs wrestles in the 112 pound weight class, and mostly competes against boys. She said it’s rare to have a female in her weight class.

Timbs stated that she has to look at each match at a time and not get hung up on records because she hardly faces another girl.

She rarely gets intimidated by opponents, unless they are made of solid muscle.

“They are either tall and skinny or they’re short and stocky,” Timbs said. “There is no in between.”

Timbs said it’s all worth it when she pins someone.

“I remember when I pinned my first guy,” Timbs said. “It was awesome. My team was cheering me on… even the opponent’s team was cheering for me, because I was a girl beating a guy.”

Timbs has an opportunity to compete against other girls at an upcoming girl’s states competition. There were 150 girls last year, and this year there were over 250 female competitors. Timbs attributes this growth to more girls being encouraged to try out for wrestling.

Timbs recruited her teammate Keyocean Perkins, also an Ypsilanti High student in the STEM program at WCC.

Perkins, 16, is the only other girl on the team in the 103 weight class. Perkins said her mom didn’t want her to join the team at first because it was dangerous, but she eventually came around.

“In my second match, a guy busted my lip open,” said Perkins. “He felt awful because it was an accident. All of our teammates and most of our opponents are very nice to us.”

“I love my team and we all support each other,” Timbs said. “It’s definitely a lot more interesting having another girl on the team.”

Having Perkins on the team makes wrestling a lot more fun, Timbs said.

Timbs has always had an interest in drawing and hopes to have a career in game animation someday. Growing up, Timbs watched her older brothers play video games and was fascinated by how the characters moved around. She drew characters in fight scenes while her brothers battled it out. Perkins plans on joining one of the military branches after graduation.

After her matches, Timbs enjoys pepperoni pizza for a “cheat day,” so she has time to lose the weight before her next weigh in. Perkins prefers chocolate chip cookies and ice cream.

“After I weigh in, my dad usually meets me with a pack of Airheads,” said Timbs.

The wrestling team fosters a sense of community, Perkins said.

“We’re a family,” Perkins said. “Our coaches are very motivational and easy to talk to; we joke around a lot.”

Besides wrestling, Timbs and and Perkins also play instruments. Timbs plays clarinet in the Ypsilanti Youth Orchestra and Perkins is a member of the Ypsilanti High School Band, in which she plays three instruments.

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