GHS’ Sierra Snodgrass: From Team Manager to College Athlete
It wasn’t until 1999 that Texas became one of the very first states to sanction high school wrestling for women, a moment in sports history that has now led to a tremendous spike in womens wrestling 23 years later.
Sierra Snodgrass, Senior at Georgetown High School (GHS), is a key figure in that spike here in Georgetown, Texas. When Snodgrass first joined the GHS wrestling team as a team manager, it was simply a way for her to complete service hours for Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC).
“My twin brother joined the wrestling team our freshman year, and he encouraged me to go for team manager,” Snodgrass said. “After two weeks of watching on the sidelines, I knew that I had to get into this sport myself.”
Snodgrass admittedly struggled her freshman year with an 11-17 record, but she kept her focus and continued progressing as her sophomore year approached.
“My teammates and I would laugh about how rough my performances were freshman year,” Snodgrass said. “Something clicked the following summer, and when I returned for my sophomore year, the progress really started to show.”
Snodgrass remained dedicated to the sport through her junior year during COVID-19, placing fourth at regionals and competing as an alternate at state. Every practice, fall, win, loss and meet eventually brought her to her senior year – the year she became the first regional champion and UIL state-placer in GHS Girls Wrestling history.
“The moment I placed 4th at state, I knew it was one of the biggest accomplishments of my life,” Snodgrass said. “As a freshman, I never imagined I would’ve made it that far.”
“As a coach, it is so inspiring to see a student work tirelessly at something and put in extra time to succeed,” GHS Wrestling Coach Randall Madsen said. “Sierra went from someone who didn't know much about wrestling, to a state-placer being chased around by college coaches.”
Half-way through Snodgrass’ junior year, she made the decision to pursue wrestling after high school. Colleges all over the country took an interest in Snodgrass, but she knew she wanted to stay in Texas to be close to her family.
“I thought to myself, ‘I never want to lose this feeling of being powerful and having the strength to win matches,’,” Snodgrass said. “I knew I had to continue my path in this sport.”
When Snodgrass visited Schreiner University in Kerrville, Texas, she quickly knew that was the place she wanted to keep pursuing that feeling.
“When I visited Schreiner, I could see that it has everything that I want out of a wrestling program and education,” Snodgrass said. “I feel so confident in the abilities of the team and the bonding that I can have there.”
A Sport for the Whole Family
Snodgrass will not be attending Schreiner alone, as her twin brother, Colton, will be right by her side. The two have been in the sport together since Colton encouraged Snodgrass to join the wrestling team her freshman year. Their junior year, the twins had their younger sister, Scarlett, join the team. Scarlett and Snodgrass were a part of a record-breaking moment when the GHS girls wrestling team became the first in GHS history to win district.
“I think that for Scarlett, watching me and Colton has helped her so much,” Snodgrass said. “She has come into herself as a wrestler, and I really do think it is because of the environment our family has created around the sport.”
“It’s not just the Snodgrass kids that are committed to the wrestling program, but it’s the entire family,” Coach Madsen said. “From grandpa, all the way down to the youngest kid in elementary school.”
The GHS wrestling team even has a designated “hangout” spot at the Snodgrass’ home, with a room containing a wrestling mat area, weights, and a television.
“Wrestling now lives within my entire family,” Snodgrass said. “It gives us a reason to come together and support each other – our own family bonding thing.”
Paving the Way
Snodgrass’ inspiring journey in wrestling has made her a well-suited role model for the younger girls on the team.
“It’s so assuring to know that other girls look up to me in this sport,” Snodgrass said. “I want them to beat my accomplishments and do better than I have, because my ultimate goal is for this program to flourish and be great someday.”
“I am so proud of the young women that have made waves in GHS girls wrestling,” Coach Madsen said. “More and more are starting to come out, and I can’t wait to see how we grow in a sport that is absolutely exploding right now.”
More
Sierra Snodgrass Wrestling Stats
4 year Varsity Letterman
2021-2022 Varsity Record: 34-4
Career Record: 88-38
2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22 Girls Team Captain
2021, 2022 District 10 Tournament Champion
2019,2020,2021,2022 Regional Qualifier
2021 4th UIL Region 3 Tournament
2022 Regional Champion
2021 UIL State alternate
2022 UIL State Tournament 4th place
