When Jasmine Hernandez started sixth grade at South Valley
Junior High, she knew she wanted to be involved in a sport but she
wasn’t sure which one.
By Marc Hopkins Special to the Dispatch
When Jasmine Hernandez started sixth grade at South Valley Junior High, she knew she wanted to be involved in a sport but she wasn’t sure which one.
Initially, Hernandez was not interested in wrestling. But her parents knew the coach and thought it would be useful for self defense. It was decided that she would take wrestling for one year and then move on.
Now 13 and in eighth grade, Hernandez recently completed her third season with an 11-4 record and placed fourth in the Santa Clara County tournament.
So what kept her wrestling after being hesitant the first few weeks of practice when she considered quitting? Hernandez says it was her first match that turned around her attitude.
The crowd, the team support and the competition during that first match got her hooked, and she never looked back.
In addition to practice and meets with her team at South Valley, Hernandez is a member of the Hawks Wrestling Club and the Girls States Wrestling Club in Vallejo. She also practices with the Gilroy High wrestling team when she can.
She plans to keep wrestling next year in high school.
As one might expect, the road has not always been easy for a female in a contact sport that is traditionally male dominated.
She has often overheard comments like “she’s just a girl,” and has been subjected to more than her share of “trash talking” by opponents as they try to intimidate her. Some boys said they did not want to wrestle her.
Even though her opponents did not always give her a lot of respect, Jasmine has the full support of her team, coaches, family, and friends. Some family members were nervous about how she would be treated and viewed by her peers, but she never backed down and has earned her place on the team.
Her father Steven Hernandez says he “couldn’t be prouder” and said that when she started wrestling he simply “asked her to do her best.”
Hernandez credits much of her success to her coaches and said, “My teammates feel like family.”
Hernandez gets good grades, proudly pointing out she has “all A’s & B’s.” Her father believes this is in part because of the social skills, motivation, confidence and drive she has gotten by being involved in the sport.
As for advice to other females, Hernandez says they should “follow what they want whatever it may be,” and adds that philosophy applies to everyone.
