Racine Sun

Racine native Kylie Welker views her status as the University of Iowa’s first female wrestling commit as a game-changer. 

"When I was younger, I was typically the only girl in the room,” Welker told WTMJ4.com. “I didn't have female partners. I didn't have girls to wrestle against. There was no such thing as female tournaments unless I drove other places."

Fast-forward to now, and Welker is coaching young girls across the state in the sport and hoping her status will send the message to more of them that they can go as far as they choose to in the sport.

While Welker’s foray into the world of coaching only came about after she suffered an injury that forced her to the sidelines, she now gives young girls the opportunity to learn from an older experienced woman that she never had while growing up.

Welker told Fox News she remembers getting her start in the sport at just four years old because she wanted to follow in her brother’s footsteps. Now a 2021 Junior World Champion, an Olympic trial finalist with an eye on the 2024 Games, Welker remembers growing up and never being able to go to other female tournaments or wrestle female opponents because the sport was not popular.

"I want to achieve everything that I can in college, between national titles, team titles, I want to continue the legacy of Iowa wrestling on the female side,” Welker said. "I'm in a position right now where I can help grow the sport along with help the younger generation. If I had someone in my spot when I was their age, like if I had someone to look up to that was coaching me and also a female, it would have changed my perspective completely, it would have helped me. So I just want to create opportunities for the younger ones."

Welker said she has simple philosophy when it comes to teaching her students.

"One of the biggest things that I preach to girls is set your goals high and expect nothing less,” she said. “That's kind of what I tell everybody. If you think and set your goals to the unthinkable, and expect nothing less, you are going to achieve high things."