From Switzerland to Dexter and on to Ford Field for the wrestling finals
Before Nives Schweitzer joined Dexter as an exchange student from Switzerland, she had never fought and probably never even thought about it.
And now here she is, not only wrestling, but competing in the first-ever MHSAA Girls’ Wrestling State Finals at Ford Field.
It all started during a conversation with her friend Selma, who convinced her that joining the wrestling team would be a great idea for her. She’s been playing soccer for a few years, but wrestling, Nives said, “I’ve never tried before.”
“I wasn’t really into it at first, but then we just gave it a try and have loved it ever since,” Nives said. “Even if it was hard training and a lot of discipline.”
At the age of 17, Nives visits America for a school year. Through the organization EF, she lives with her lovely host family in Dexter and is given the opportunity to learn the language, culture and much more.
She placed 8th at the Hartland Regional at 135 pounds to qualify for the finals on March 4th and 5th. The girls’ state finals will be held concurrently with the boys’ finals at Ford Field.
Nives worked and practiced hard preparing for the final. She said she pushed her limits in preparation for what was expected to be intense competition.
“I’m surprised, I never thought I’d make it this far,” she said.
However, she is not nervous about being on the big stage.
“The excitement is getting stronger every day, I can’t wait!”
Along the way, she said she received great support.
“I want to thank my coaches for all their help and understanding,” she said. “With their help, I became the best wrestler I can be.”
And she says: “Of course a big thank you to my host family and friends for all the support.”