By TANYA GARCIA
HOLT – For Holt High senior Molly Root, wrestling isn’t just about the grind on the mat, it’s about fun, growth, and the lessons she carries with her off the mat. Competing in the 100-pound division, Root has become a determined member of the Lady Rams wrestling team, balancing her passion for competition with the demands of being a student-athlete.
Root first stepped into the sport because she wanted to try something new and exciting. “Just to get into a sport that was fun and seeing people do it,” she said of her inspiration. That decision has blossomed into a steady commitment fueled by the guidance of her biggest influence, Coach Jim Hafke.
What Root loves most is the thrill of competition. “Going to tournaments,” she said without hesitation. But the road hasn’t been without challenges. She admits that “taking shots” has been her toughest hurdle so far, though she continues to push herself to improve in that area.
Her first match remains a vivid memory, “a lot of hand fighting and defense,” she recalled, adding that despite the nerves, “it felt good.” One of her proudest moments came when she was able to hold her own against a wrestler who placed fourth in the state. “Being able to stay with a girl that took 4th in State,” she said, is something she’ll always carry as motivation.
Root, is one of many athletes interviewed for Breaking the Mold: Girls Wrestling Surging in Michigan High Schools.
This fall, Root will take her wrestling journey to a whole new level. She has been selected to represent Team USA Women’s Beach Wrestling at the Beach Wrestling World Championships in Katerini, Greece, September 25–26, where she will compete in the 45kg division.
“I’m incredibly honored and excited to share that I’ve been selected to represent Team USA Women’s Beach Wrestling this year!” Root said. “To be able to step onto the world stage and compete against the best in the world means so much to me.”
But the opportunity comes with challenges off the mat as well. “What many people don’t realize is that at the world level, all costs are the responsibility of the athletes. That means travel, lodging, and competition fees are all out-of-pocket,” she explained.
To make this dream possible, Root is reaching out to the community for support. “Whether it’s a sponsorship or a personal donation, any amount helps and goes directly toward getting me to Greece to compete against the best in the world,” she said. “Your support not only helps cover expenses, but also allows me to proudly represent our community and country on the international stage.”
Back home, Root continues to train with the Lady Rams. A typical week is demanding: drilling, live wrestling, and running. But she embraces the work, especially with her teammates by her side. “We don’t give up,” she said of the Rams’ identity on the mat.
She admires her coach’s relentless approach, which often echoes in her own attitude toward the sport. “Just wrestle, don’t think, and keep moving through things,” she recalled of his advice. “If you try to stop, he will make you keep doing it until you get it down.”
On the mat, Root favors her signature move, the “head inside single dump.” Off the mat, she’s just as relatable as any high schooler, laughing at a time when an opponent unexpectedly shot at her ankles, sending her straight to her back, or imagining karaoke nights where her teammate Shea would belt out “Party in the USA.”
If wrestling had walkout music like boxing or MMA, Root says hers might be “a song by Ice.” Away from wrestling, she enjoys English class, dreams of attending Davenport University, and likes unwinding with tennis. When it comes to food, Wing Stop tops the list, and she hopes to one day travel to Hawaii.
For now, Root is focused on her dual journey: finishing strong as a Holt senior and preparing to step onto the world stage in Greece. Her advice for anyone looking to start wrestling reflects the same grit she carries with her to the mat: “It can be hard at first, but you will get it eventually, and it is really fun,” Root said.
Raul Garcia