In a sport dominated by males, Shaker freshman Cailan Drake is also proving girls belong in the sport of wrestling.

What You Need To Know

  • Shaker freshman Cailan Drake is working hard on the mat

  • A soccer standout for Shaker as well, Drake is proving girls belong in wrestling
  • Drake has her eyes set on Sectionals and ultimately a NYS Championship

"I feel just like anyone else," Drake said of being on the team. "I just want to be here and I want to get better. I'm really enjoying the experience and I hope people can look and say, 'I can do that too,' " she added.

A soccer standout for Shaker, Drake decided to pick the sport up in seventh grade. She's worked incredibly hard to hone the craft over the years.

But of all the sports out there, why wrestling?

"I wanted to try a new sport. One of the kids who was already on the team said, 'Hey, do wrestling,' " she said. "I said, 'you know what, why not.' I went to tryouts and said, 'OK, let's go,' and it went from there," she said.

Drake's work ethic and attitude has caught the attention of head coach Brandon Guthrie as well.

"She definitely is a trailblazer, and I want to use her as an example. This year we're going to do a highlight tape and play it for girls in P.E. class, and try and get the word out that it is something girls can do and be successful at," Guthrie said.

Drake is just a freshman, but she already has her eyes set on sectionals and ultimately a state championship.