Durant High School senior Addison Polk was first introduced to wrestling by her father, Chaz.

“He was coaching a club team in Durant, and both my brothers wrestle, so one day, I just decided to give it a try,” Polk said.

That was 5 years ago — just before the OSSAA sanctioned girls wrestling in Oklahoma. In the time that has passed, Polk has led a career to remember. She has qualified for state four times and placed once. Polk has also helped guide the next generation of wrestlers by teaching technique to Durant’s middle schoolers in the mornings.

“I had the opportunity to qualify for the state tournament and wrestle in it my freshman year, the year they sanctioned it in the first girls state tournament ever,” Polk said. “It was surreal and amazing to be a part of such a growing and amazing sport but also the humbling experience that it was bigger than us and realization we were setting the stage for future generations.”

But the sport has also provided several challenges. For one, Polk has had to balance wrestling and soccer, her second love which she has played for 11 years and won a state academic championship in last year.

But that’s not the greatest obstacle she has faced.

“Junior year preparing for regionals, it was the most competition I had had in a bracket so far and had a pretty hefty weight cut,” Polk said. “My dad was more than supportive and helped me in every step in the way and was my biggest rock along with my mom. Just keeping my head up and focussed on my goals in front of me helped the most.”

Polk has committed to continue her wrestling career at NOC-Tonkawa. She hopes to help the Mavericks win national titles.

“Tonkawa is the place for me because the coach and environment is inviting and has the degree path I’m looking towards while being close enough to home that I can still come see family and my brothers compete in athletics on the regular,” Polk said. “I just have God, my family, coaches and friends to thank.”