Jenna Burkert had some big decisions to make after retiring from wrestling last January. As a World bronze medalist and former Army member, she was looking for her next chapter but didn’t want to rush into anything. “I wanted to be open to where life would take me,” she shared.
Then, a connection with a wrestling parent from Oklahoma and an old Army colleague led her to Bixby High School. Intrigued, she tuned in to watch the Oklahoma girls’ high school state tournament. To her delight, Bixby clinched a thrilling victory, winning by just half a point. After that, she decided to move to Oklahoma to become the girls’ associate head coach.
When people ask her why she chose a small town like Bixby, Burkert laughs. “That’s what my students say too!” she said. Her answer? “I’ve traveled a lot, and honestly, I’m happy as long as there’s a coffee shop around.” Bixby, a cozy city of 30,000 near Tulsa, offers plenty of coffee spots.
In addition to coaching, Burkert teaches high school leadership. She has a passion for coaching at the developmental level before possibly moving on to college wrestling later. Her own journey in wrestling began under coach Shannyn Gillespie at the U.S. Olympic Education Center, where she was treated with respect and care. “I want to give my athletes that same supportive environment,” Burkert explained. Her current team is already ranked second in the nation.
Turning to the exciting world of girls’ wrestling, a significant event took place in January. The Wonder Women Wrestling Tournament, held at Battle High School in Columbia, Missouri, brought together over 630 athletes from six states. What made this event special was its first-time sponsor: e.l.f. Cosmetics. This major makeup brand aimed to empower female athletes, showcasing the idea that girls can be strong wrestlers while also embracing their femininity.
e.l.f. brought along Anna Bynum, a popular Twitch streamer, to host interviews during the event. Olympic champion Helen Maroulis also participated, sharing her journey and encouraging girls to embrace who they are in a male-dominated sport. She expressed, “I learned I could be completely myself and still find my place here.”
e.l.f. Cosmetics set up a fun makeup station for athletes and fans to enjoy, and they also offered nine college scholarships for high school seniors through a unique essay competition. The Wonder Women Wrestling Foundation, the event’s organizer, is dedicated to empowering women not just in wrestling but also in broader community initiatives.
Over in Pennsylvania, sisters Violette Lasure and Juliet Alt are making waves in wrestling. Together, they’ve claimed 11 Powerade titles. Violette, a sophomore, earned her sixth title, while freshman Juliet secured her fifth. Violette dominated her matches, winning in the finals, while Juliet used her speed and skill to claim victory in her category.
Despite their similarities in sport, the sisters have distinct personalities. Violette is more reserved while Juliet enjoys chatting and shopping. “If you really get to know us, you’ll see how different we are,” Juliet noted. They consider each other fantastic practice partners and share treasured memories, especially during big tournaments.
Now, the dynamic duo is focused on their upcoming goals: winning district and regional titles, aiming for state championships, and hoping to compete together at the World Team Trials. They dream of making a World Team, solidifying their bond both on and off the mat.
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