WOODBURY — Within the Nonnewaug gymnasium, the sound of sneakers squeaking against the padded mats that canvas the hardwood floors echoe, sending shock waves throughout the room as each wrestler makes their move. For most people, pressure is something hard to maintain. But not for Nonnewaug’s lone female wrestler, as Indigo Kimball’s got that covered.
“I dedicate a lot of time and effort to this sport,” said Indigo Kimball, a sophomore on this year’s team. “In the offseason, I train year round traveling up to Harvard, Penn State, and I went to two RTCs and I was at Columbia University. I compete in New Jersey and in Connecticut as well. I travel and I am in the weight room every day after the off season and train at Nonnewaug.”
For coaches, Kimball’s work ethic isn’t just noticeable — it’s a template for success.
“Indigo has an extremely strong work ethic,” said Dave Green, head wrestling coach at NHS. “She is a very happy, energetic, and fun person to be around which makes her unique. I always look at all my student athletes the same but Indigo and I have a unique bond considering we are both relatable and I’m glad she feels she could come to me when she needs it whether or not it’s just about learning a new move. I have seen many girl wrestlers come and go, but in Indigo’s case it’s different because she is the only girl.”
Kimball is not only a talented wrestler but she is also a good friend who works toward building strong relationships with as much vigor as she does her training on the mat.
“Indigo and I got close really quickly,” said Gianna Saxton, an NHS freshman and close friend of Kimball’s. “She is very caring and absolutely so thoughtful. She always asks me if I’m okay because she is the kind of person who thinks about others before herself.”
Although intimidating to her opponents, Kimball’s friends agree she is quite the character.
“My favorite memory of Indigo was probably [this fall’s] homecoming, ” Saxton said. “That night we both showed up wearing the same dress, which was really unexpected and absolutely hilarious because that night we never left the dance floor, mirroring each other’s dance moves all while wearing the same thing.”
Despite the strength in her friendships on campus, Kimball expresses that a major setback is being viewed differently due to the fact she is the lone female wrestler at NHS.
“I feel that some of the boys don’t think that girls belong in the sport because it is a more male-dominant sport,” Kimball said. “I’ve had some occurrences where guys have rolled their eyes, and that’s definitely a struggle. I know sometimes boys don’t want to train with a girl just because of the gender itself.”
However, Kimball doesn’t let anything get in the way of her passion.
“I love how Indigo would rather be the only girl wrestler than give up on her passion,” freshman Payton Brown states. “I believe that you should do what you love and the quantity of your team should not dictate your decision.”
For Kimball’s peers at NHS, her decision to wrestle is something her classmates respect and revere.
“If I was Indigo, I would rather be the only girl wrestler than give up my passion for my sport,” said Brown.
This 2024-2025 wrestling season will be a significant change for Kimball since last year she was one of three female wrestlers, but this year she’ll be the only one.
“This year feels different than last year; I had two other girls on the team with me and I miss them very dearly,” Kimball said.
Alongside a pair of other female wrestlers, Elliana Selearis and Te Andre La Beach last season, Kimball believes there to be something gained from the experience this year where she understands she’ll have added attention.
“I do think that I am going to be able to improve a lot this year. I know training with the boys who are stronger than me will eventually make me stronger and a better wrestler,” Kimball said. “Although it is different because I miss my friends I am still grateful that I have this opportunity to be on this team with supportive teammates.”
Preparing for a rigorous season ahead, Kimball relies on her family and her background in athletics beyond the wrestling mat.
“I started off doing jiu-jitsu with my dad for about eight years,” Kimball said. “I competed in regular super fights and regular tournaments and when I went to high school [wrestling] was the closest to jiu-jitsu. My dad grew up doing contact sports so he taught my little brother and I how to grapple.”
Despite Kimball’s background, her coaches have seen her improve over the years and truly grow into the best version of herself that she can be.
“One thing I have watched Indigo improve on is really the transition into high school wrestling itself,” said Green. “One thing I am really proud of is that Indigo never backs down. It doesn’t matter if her opponent is taller, shorter, stronger, the opposite gender, or if they are twice her weight. No matter what, she never backs down.”
Even with her training, Kimball notes that although she loves the sport she still struggles to balance the amount of pressure she puts on herself.
“I feel that I always put too much pressure on myself to succeed even though there’s no reason to feel that way,” Kimball said. “I know my coaches and teammates are supportive of me but I want to push myself past my limits to show other people that girls can do male dominated sports. I put more pressure on myself because I have to work three times as hard as the boys on the team to be at the same level. It is still worth putting in the effort since you’re guaranteed to improve every time you step on the mat.”
All that aside, Kimball’s main intention is to prove to everyone that girls can not only do this sport but anything they put their minds to.
“I try to show that I am capable, even though this a male-dominant sport,” Kimball said. “But I mostly want to show people that girls can do the sport too. As long as you are willing to put in the effort you will improve.”
