Berlin Kiddoo eager for opportunity to become state wrestling champion
WESTVILLE, Ill. (BVM) — The Kiddoo family is plenty familiar with success in the sport of wrestling. As the youngest sibling, Berlin Kiddoo continues to excel in the sport in Illinois, and she is eager to show off her talent once again with the Westville/Georgetown-Ridge Farm program this season.
Kiddoo did not begin her wrestling career until sixth grade, but she began her time on the mat looking up to both her older brother, Nathan, and her older sister, Savannah, who also picked up the sport around the same time.
“Originally, I didn’t find it to be that great of a sport and wasn’t really interested in it,” Berlin said. “Once my brother got into high school, I just happened to be there with my family watching a practice and watching the duals and I was like, ‘Wow, this looks like an amazing sport, I would really like to try this.’ So my sister and I decided to go out and give it a try.”
Seeing Nathan develop in the sport to the point where he became a college wrestler was not only a learning experience for Berlin through her younger years, but also an inspiration.
“I would say my older brother is my biggest idol,” Berlin added. “I watched him throughout all of high school. I was always really close to him and he always kind of gave me that push and that drive to get better. He and my sister were really great wrestlers and had so much pride.”
While Nathan may have been Berlin’s inspiration to try wrestling, watching Savannah develop into a college wrestler herself has also been a true motivator.
“My sister was an absolute stud,” Berlin said. “I still look up to my sister to this day. She was someone who was always in my corner, always pushing me and encouraging me to be better. She’s been my role model since we were little kids. I always wanted to do everything that she did.”
Of course, the Kiddoo sisters are just two of many who continue to grow girls wrestling around the country. Berlin has seen the growth of the sport first hand, and hopes she can play a part in continuing it.
“It’s definitely started to grow as I’ve gotten into high school,” Berlin said. “It’s been great for girls to be able to become more comfortable and enjoy the sport.”
Many girls continue to become more comfortable and acclimated with the sport, but for Berlin, that wasn’t always the case right away. Growing up in San Diego, Berlin competed in jiu-jitsu, bringing out her toughness that has shown throughout her wrestling career. However, competing against boys — particularly in wrestling — was a slight challenge at first.
“It definitely was a little weird for me, especially when I was so young,” Berlin said about wrestling with boys. “You definitely have to have an open mind to it, but as I got older I got more comfortable with it.”
By the time Berlin started competing at Ramona High School in California, she was a freshman star. As a sophomore, she became the first of her siblings to win a masters wrestling tournament.
“It was during that match that I knew I was going to stick with the sport and that this sport was going to be my life,” Berlin noted.
Berlin has since gone on to win additional titles, and finished fifth in the state in her weight class at the 15-16 age group. In addition, she earned a second-place finish at the USA Wrestling High School National Recruiting Showcase. As a result, the wrestler has been ranked in the top 10 nationally in her weight class, an honor she takes a lot of pride in.
“I grew up trying to be humble but it is of course great to feel and know that you can do more than you think you can,” Berlin said. “In my opinion, rankings don’t really mean anything. Anyone can beat anyone with the right mindset and enough practice. But it was a really great accomplishment for me and my family and a really great feeling.”
Last summer, Berlin made the move from San Diego to Illinois. Trading in warm and sunny beaches for cold and snowy winter days, the move was undoubtedly an adjustment. However, one thing that made it easier was the openness of her new Westville/Georgetown-Ridge Farm wrestling club.
“Westville came at me with open arms,” Berlin said. “They were very welcoming and brought me right in. I don’t think I have ever been on a boys team that was so open minded. I really felt like I had a family with this team. They knew I was good and knew I wanted to become better for the team.”
Wrestling on the boys team with Westville, the 17-year-old again excelled. As her senior season now approaches, Berlin hopes to take her success a step further. Last year, the IHSA announced they will officially sanction girls wrestling in the state, and hold the first-ever all-girls state wrestling tournament over the winter. For Berlin and many others, the opportunity to compete in the inaugural tournament is very special.
“I’m really excited about this upcoming season,” Berlin said. “When I started wrestling, my parents always told me that if any of my siblings could become a state champion, it would be me. It was exciting to come out here and hear that they were sanctioning it because I could be a true state champion and one of the first girls in Illinois to be a state champion. That currently is my biggest goal, but all in all, I just want to have a good season and do my best before I head into college.”
Six years ago, college wrestling may have seemed like a pipe dream for Berlin. However, it has quickly become a reality. Next year, Berlin will wrestle at Central Methodist University in Missouri. There, she will reunite with Savannah.
“I didn’t really think that I would go to the same college as my sister,” Berlin explained. “I had an unofficial visit and got to meet the team and coaches. It just felt really good to be back on the mat with my sister and be able to be there with her. She’s always someone who’s pushed me and I know I’ve also pushed her to do my absolute best. We talked about it and thought it was great to have that duo once more before she graduates college.”
Berlin believes Savannah will help her get acclimated to college both on and off the mat. While she’s wrestling, however, she believes the sky’s the limit when it comes to the rest of her career.
“I hope I continue to wrestle throughout my life,” Berlin said. “I never thought I’d become this serious with this sport. As the years have gone on and I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that I do want this to stay in my life. In college I just want to do my best and continue to grow with the sport.”
No matter how far the rest of her career goes, Berlin, along with her siblings, have made a big impact on the wrestling community. Now as the Kiddoo sisters reunite one final time, they will look to continue growing that legacy even further.
“I definitely feel we left our legacy,” Berlin said. “Our whole goal is to just encourage people to come out and try it. Don’t be scared, it’s a great sport. I’m sure that when my brother, my sister and I get older and have kids, we’ll want them to do the same thing and just be encouraging.
“We’ve also shown women that you can do a male sport. You can make it into your own and do whatever you want or whatever you put your mind to. I think that’s ultimately the legacy we’re trying to leave.”
