By Tanya Garcia | Lansing News Wire
Lansing New Wire had a chance to catch up with Gianna Conflitti, Perry High’s junior wrestler in the 115 pound division. Here is what she had to say about her wrestling experience in Meet the Lady Hawks Q&A:
Q: FULL NAME
A: Gianna Conflitti
Q: What high school do you represent?
A: Forest Hills Eastern
Q: What grade are you?
A: 11
Q: What weight class do your wrestle?
A: 115
Q: Gender
A: Female
Q: What inspired you to start wrestling?
A: My sister! Watching all of her matches in years previous made me realize her immense strength and determination. Also, because wrestling is a male dominated sport, she could have been the only girl on her team so I decided to join the team to be her practice partner and to grow stronger myself.
Q: Who has been your biggest influence in wrestling?
A: My biggest wrestling influence and supporter is my dad who encourages me to try my best each and every day. He continuously hypes me up for my matches and sends me videos to help improve my technique, to teach me new skills, and to strengthen my mindset.
Q: What do you love most about wrestling?
A: I love that each of my teammates and coaches are so supportive of one another. Wrestling is not easy but constant support from my coaches and teammates helps me get through tough matches or practices.
Q: What does a typical week of training look like for you?
A: Practice every day after school and tournaments or matches typically on Wednesdays and Saturdays!
Q: What has been your proudest moment in wrestling so far?
A: I won my first tournament! I started the day not feeling very confident in my abilities but I focused on a couple of my favorite skills each match and eventually was titled champion of my weight class.
Q: How has being a student-athlete helped you grow as a person?
A: Being a student-athlete has helped me connect with other students I wouldn’t normally meet otherwise. Connecting with my peers and working together through common adversities such as balancing homework, friends, and extracurriculars has definitely grown my community at school.
LARRY ARREGUIN 
Raul Garcia