Bullitt East’s Emily Hendricks claims Kentucky state wrestling title
MOUNT WASHINGTON, Ky. — At the beginning of the season, Coach Nick Ackley asked his wrestlers to write down their goal for the upcoming season. “Write it somewhere you’ll see it every day,” he said. Emily Hendricks simply wrote “1st in State.”
“Winning the state title was more than just winning an award; it was wrapping up three years of hard work and perseverance that a lot of people contributed to. It was winning for all of us… winning for my coach, winning for my family, and proving to myself that I could do it.” Emily explained. “It’s a whole thing and hard to put into words.”
This was a lofty goal, coming into the season after a recent injury and uncertainty if there would be a wrestling coach for her senior season. Nick Ackley, who is also the head coach of Bullitt Central’s Wrestling program, agreed to take on the Chargers, feeling the kids deserved a season. Emily first became acquainted with Coach Ackley through the Joker Wrestling Club last summer and was ecstatic to learn he would be leading Bullitt East’s program this season.
Wrestling Builds Confidence
Emily was introduced to the sport of wrestling through her older brother, Matthew Hendricks, former Bullitt East state placer and two-time regional champion. After wanting to wrestle for over a year, she finally got the courage to attend a week of intense pre-season conditioning her sophomore year. “Crew Week was tough! I was not naturally athletic. I couldn’t even run one lap around the track and was one of the last kids to finish every activity, but I saw wrestling make my brother more confident. It made him a leader and successful. I really wanted to try it, so I pushed through and worked hard every day.”
By the end of the season, Hendricks was running 5 miles a day and placed 2nd in the state tournament in her sophomore and junior year.
Teamwork
During her senior year, Emily was Bullitt East’s 144 Ib. varsity wrestler and served as a team captain.
She credits much of her success to her current and former wrestling partners and teammates. “Having a partner who is willing to put in hard work is extremely important in this sport.” Hendricks points out. “You have to be willing to put in 110% every day, even on days you may not feel like it, because your success depends on them, and their success depends on you.”
Emily also credits her brother, former team captain, and current Lindsey Wilson College wrestler, Matthew Hendricks. “The year we shared the mat together brought us closer as siblings and formed a unique bond. I enjoy anytime we get to wrestle together. There’s always something for me to learn.”
Leading up to the State tournament, Hendricks sought additional support from former Bullitt East and Campbellsville University wrestler Carly O’Neal. Hendricks explained, “This is an example of the camaraderie seen throughout this sport. When neither of my regular practice partners were able to do contact drills, Carly came to help every day.
“Coach Ackley went above and beyond to make sure I was physically and mentally prepared for the State tournament. I trusted his plan. I knew my goal was equally important to him. If I began to doubt myself, he always had the right words of reassurance.”
Tournament Day
Seeded second to 2022’s 138-pound state champion, Gabrielle Ocasio of Simon Kenton, in a bracket of 23 girls, Hendricks began the day with three straight pins over her opponents.
“I did my best in every match, taking it just as seriously as I would my final. As soon as I finished my third match, I was handed my white championship singlet, and I could not have been happier. I knew that if I lost my last match, I would get second, same as the last two years, but losing was not an option. Anytime worries began to creep in, my coach, a family member, teammate, or friend knew exactly what to say.”
Hendricks defeated Ocasio in the championship match with a score of 4-2, resulting in a winning season record of 31-7, with seven winning pins and five losses being against male opponents.
More Than a Sport
To Hendricks, wrestling has become a lifestyle. “I love the people and the camaraderie of the wrestling community. I love how wrestling pushes me, and I love the challenge. One of the best things is watching your teammates improve, seeing a new wrestler’s first win, their newfound confidence, and growing as a team.”
There‘s a lot to gain from wrestling, much more than just physical athleticism. Wrestling is as much mental as it is physical, if not more so. It simultaneously teaches teamwork and independence while building mental and emotional resilience.
This season was about growing the community, as well. Once rival teams, now with a common coach, Bullitt Central, and Bullitt East supported each other matside throughout the season and postseason. “It’s like extended family,” Hendricks said.
What’s Next
Hendricks isn’t interested in wrestling at the collegiate level, but that doesn’t mean wrestling will be a thing of the past for this state champion. She said, “It’s hard to imagine myself not being involved in wrestling, and I want to give back to the sport that gave me so much.” Emily already helps with coaching boys and girls ages five and up at the Joker Wrestling Club and plans to grow in this role. She strongly encourages anyone with even a slight interest or curiosity in the sport to come to a practice, regardless of their current athletic ability. “You may not like it. It’s not for everybody. But, if you do like it, wrestling will change your life for the better, so there‘s no harm in trying.”
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