Female Westwood Wildcats wrestler & football kicker shatters stereotypes

CAMILLA, Ga. – Meet Gracie Stewart, a talented and determined athlete whose remarkable journey challenges traditional norms and is inspiring a new generation of athletes.

Gracie Stewart is a distinguished high school senior enrolled at Westwood Schools, and she is making waves not only as a tenacious wrestler but also as a female kicker for the Westwood Wildcats football team.

Gracie graciously shares her journey of joining the male football team as a female kicker, a path that initially began with her not making the cheer squad.

“So, in middle school I was a cheerleader, and I loved cheering. I loved my squad. My freshman year, it was COVID, we were online. I had an injury to my finger; I had broken my finger. We had virtual try-outs; I did not make the team. I was heartbroken, I feel like a part of me had just been taken from me. So, I spent a good portion of my freshman year trying to figure out what was missing. Every time I saw cheerleaders, I felt sad. I remember sitting in a pep rally one day and I saw the football players walking out, I was like, “I can totally do that.” I remember someone said no you can’t, and I said, “Watch me.” So, I went to the coach in the next few days and asked him if I could play as a kicker. He said there was a process to it. Over the course of the next few weeks, we got all the permissions we needed and there I was,” said Gracie Stewart, Westwood Wildcats kicker & wrestler.

After extensive and persistent efforts to secure a match opportunity, over the weekend, Gracie marked her debut in the wrestling ring with an enthralling match against the formidable opponent known as the ‘soviet assassin.’

Gracie shares insight into her inception and progression into the world of professional wrestling.

“About two years ago, I started going to watch Ryan James wrestle. That was my first introduction to wrestling. You know, most people start with watching WWE on tv, I didn’t. I started watching here at SWA, Southeastern Wrestling Association. I turn to my friend and I say, “You wanna train with me,” and she goes, “Yeah, I’ll train with you.” I have trained hard for well over a year now and we are finally making a breakthrough and with finally getting a match tonight,” said Gracie Stewart, Westwood Wildcats kicker & wrestler.

Gracie also discusses the unique challenges she faces as a female athlete in predominantly male-dominated sports.

“It can be a challenge. There have definitely been times in football and wrestling that I have just felt like, “What am I doing here.” There are definitely people who are very opinionated and it does get discouraging. But, you really just have to dig deep and think why did I start doing this. I kind of take that, and instead of feeling discouraged, I use it and turn it into a positive for of energy, and I use it to keep myself motivated. You’re telling me I cannot do it, but clearly, I am still here, I’m still thriving, and I’m still succeeding,” said Gracie Stewart, Westwood Wildcats kicker & wrestler.

De’Andra Jacobs reporting.

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