The moment she steps onto the mat, all eyes are drawn to Neshaminy High School (NHS) junior, Grace Nesbitt. The 2023 Pennsylvania Freestyle 16U state champion and two-time state qualifier currently holds an astounding 65-16 record in her junior season.
While Nesbitt is dominating her junior season, she has been owning the wrestling mat since she was only five years old.
“I was super motivated at first to be the best, but because I was so young, it was hard to do that,” Nesbitt voiced.
While it was difficult for her to make a name for herself at such a young age, she was constantly pushed and motivated by those around her. Her main motivator being her mentor and greatest inspiration: her father.
“My dad started me in wrestling,” Nesbitt stated. “He wrestled in high school, and he wanted me to do it and really helped me start off and keep my motivation. He also got my sister to start wrestling.”
While her passion for wrestling wasn’t as strong as it is now, over the last 11 years, her father has been committed to making her the best high school wrestler possible.
While Nesbitt is praised for her skill to step onto the mat and defeat her opponent with ease, she gives the majority of credit to her coaches: Coach Bing, Coaches Richie and Sam Cerebe, and Coach Chuck Koch, whom she has referred to as her biggest inspirations in wrestling, as well as her teammates and Olympic professional wrestlers.
With women’s wrestling gaining popularity every year, Grace Nesbitt is a name to remember. Since she was a middle schooler leading her team, Nesbitt has always kept the same determination that motivates her to evolve stronger and better every season.
As Nesbitt collects new titles and wins every year, she continues to shock and influence opponents, teammates, and viewers.
“Getting second and sixth at states and wrestling in North Dakota at junior nationals have been my biggest accomplishments,” Nesbitt voiced.
As she holds the titles of the 2024 first-ever PIAA Girls District 1 Champion and 2024 Girls Beast of the East medalist (fifth place), Nesbitt’s determination is one that is vastly admired by those around her.
