GRAND ISLAND, Neb. -- “So walking down the halls I thought, 'wow this school could be really good at girls wrestling,'” said Jeff Evans, Grand Island Girls Wrestling coach. 

Grand Island Girls Wrestling team Coach Jeff Evans saw the potential of many girls at school. Now in the program’s second year, the Islanders are already accumulating trophies.

They are 15-0 in dual competitions, and they don’t plan to stop there. 

“A lot of the girls growing up they come from wrestling families," Evans said. "And so I think for them I think it’s one of those things where like I wish that I could do what my cousin does or my brother does, or whatever the case is, so I think it’s been coming natural fit for the girls in this community to jump into it.”

Last year’s team had 32 girls making it the largest team in the state. This year, they have about 45 girls.

Evans said it’s a great sport for girls because it teaches them self-defense and builds confidence. 

Genesis Solis said she had always wanted to wrestle, but there wasn’t a team when she was in middle school. She said the sport makes her feel empowered.

“Because you’re fighting, you’re fighting with all your body, it's like, let's say, most people fight now with their voice and everything like that," Solis said. "Like soccer, it's just legs. Here you fight with your whole body, and specially mentally. So, I think that when you win it just gives you such a sense of achievement. You feel big about yourself, it’s a nice feeling." 

Cladis Lucas was in a similar position, where she said she had always wanted to be in a wrestling team and there wasn’t one. 

“It has gotten my confidence more, boosted my confidence. I have positive mindset,” Lucas said. 

According to Evans, the goal is to keep the girls interested in the sport. The longer they’re involved, the better they’ll get. 

The girls are starting to prepare for the District Tournament.