Breaking Barriers: Charlotte Rosenbalm leads the Watauga Women's Wrestling Team

Freshman Charlotte Rosenbalm is the first woman to join the Watauga High School Women's wrestling team of 2025. “It takes a lot of positive mindset in wrestling, because one bad match can affect a lot of things, just like other sports can,” said Rosenbaum. Photo credits: Watauga High School Booster Club. 

Anna Norris, Editor-in-Chief of The Powderhorn

When most students at Watauga High School step into the wrestling room for the first time, they expect a challenge. But for Charlotte Rosenbalm, the first girl to join the newly sanctioned Women’s Wrestling program, the challenge is more than physical, it's symbolic. She practices alongside the boys, trains through the same grueling drills, and pushes past the doubts that come with competing in a male-dominated sport. For Rosenbalm, wrestling is as much mental as it is physical. 

“I do train with the guys. I think that helps me more as a wrestler because obviously guys are supposedly stronger than females,” said Rosenbalm, “ and so if you train with somebody particularly better than you, it helps me push myself because wrestling is definitely a mental sport.”

Though Rosenbalm is new to the sport, she's already embraced every opportunity to grow. Traveling to matches, observing competitors, and soaking in knowledge have become some of her favorite parts of wrestling. Rosenbalm is currently undefeated in her wrestling season. 

“I love the opportunity to travel to other places and wrestle because that means I can meet new people and get more exposed to the sport,” said Rosenbalm. “I went to my first match, and I just watched to observe and sink in the knowledge.”

Being a female pioneer in a male-dominated environment comes with its challenges. While Rosenbalm has had a more positive experience in her short time with Watauga Wrestling, there is more attention and familiarity with men's wrestling on a national level. However, Rosenbalm’s success in her wrestling season has gained traction from the students at WHS.  

“At times, it is pretty difficult because people can look at you differently and treat you differently because you are a female in a mostly male-dominated sport,” said Rosenbalm. “But the people on the team treat me with respect, and they are so nice to me, and I love that they treat me exactly like the other guys on the team.”

Wrestling practices are notoriously intense, and conditioning is no exception. However, the endurance, strength, and resilience gained through training directly correlate to the success of Watauga Wrestlers at matches. 

“At the end of practice, we have conditioning for about 45 to 50 minutes,” said Rosenbalm. “It is genuinely the worst thing ever because you’re already sweating and panting like a dog, and then you see the condition and go walking in. It’s pretty intimidating cause you’re like, I don’t know if I can survive this, but I’ve gotten better at pushing myself.”

While the physical strain of conditioning can be overwhelming, those difficult practices have become instrumental in shaping Rosenbalm as an athlete. The difficult moments she has encountered in wrestling have taught her what consistent effort can build and provide her with hope for her future. 

“I would love to continue this sport through high school,” said Rosenbalm. “It helps me physically, emotionally, and the people on the team. They’re very uplifting and great people, and they make it so much fun.”

As the first woman on Watauga’s Wrestling team of 2025, Rosenbalm is doing more than just learning takedowns. She is opening doors, and her determination, passion, and resilience are helping shape the future of the program and encouraging others to follow. 

“My goal for the season is to at least try and qualify for states,” said Rosenbalm. “I know that is a big goal, especially for me, because I started this year. But I truly believe the saying ‘The sky is the limit’, but I know that it will take hard work and perseverance, and I think as long as I keep trying, I will work my way up there.”