Taylor Van Daff is not only a stellar student, but also a determined young athlete. In addition to being apart of the Naz cross country and track teams, she is also the only female athlete on Nazareth’s wrestling team. After asking her a few questions to see what life is like being the only girl on the wrestling team, here is what she had to say:

How long have you been wrestling?
I started wrestling this year.

Why did you start wrestling?
My friends were kidding around, talking about joining the wrestling team. I saw it as a challenge. Why wouldn’t a female be able to wrestle? Why would gender even be an factor? So, I set out to prove everyone wrong. I knew this experience would challenge my mental and physical state, pushing them both to the limits. If I could get through one season of this grueling sport, I knew the sky was the limit to what was in store for my future, and knew that I would be prepared for my desired career in the army.

Have you won any awards in wrestling?
I placed fourth in a varsity tournament and third in my regional.

What was it like being the only girl on the team?
Initially, not many people were on my side. People were placing bets on how soon I would quit, how soon I would fail. But the reason I finished that season, wasn’t for the world of people rooting against me, it was for that one person rooting for me.

Taylor is a very strong and independent young lady and her actions and attitude demonstrate how you can achieve anything you set your mind to. Ignore the people who tell you that you can’t do something because you can do anything. If anyone tries to bring you down it only means that you are above them. Taylor’s perseverance and drive to do what others say can’t be done is something that everyone could learn and strive towards.