MARBLEHEAD — Marblehead High School’s wrestling team, a co-op with Swampscott known as the Black and Blue, has been making waves this season, not only for its competitive spirit, but also for its growing inclusivity. Among these athletes are two young women, Eva Goodman and Maya Alix, who are helping to break barriers and redefine gender norms in the sport.
As female participation in wrestling continues to rise across the country, Marblehead has embraced the trend, creating a more inclusive environment for all athletes. The Black and Blue, led by head coach Michael Stamison, have delivered a successful season following Saturday’s Cape Ann League/Northeastern Conference meet.
Stamison, who’s in his 15th season on staff and 10th as head coach, has seen the evolution of the sport firsthand.
“We had one girl when I was on the team back in the early 2000s in Randi Warner, then Ainsley Pennock in 2010, then Olivia Gardner in 2021. Eva Goodman is now in her second year with us. Maya Alix is in her first,” Stamison said.
The presence of female wrestlers on the team is not just symbolic, but adds depth and diversity to the squad.
“The empowerment, self-defense, and confidence-building attributes make it an excellent choice for a young lady who doesn’t have a winter sport,” Stamison said. “A fun phrase we use in the wrestling community is ‘any BODY can wrestle.’ Big or small, male or female, our sport is for everyone.”
Women’s wrestling is now the fastest-growing sport in the country, and Marblehead’s commitment to fostering a welcoming and competitive atmosphere has been evident in its recent performances.
For Goodman, wrestling has been an important part of her athletic journey.
“This is my second year doing wrestling,” she said. “I grew up doing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and competing for that, and a lot of people I would go against did wrestling. It made them extremely good on their feet, so I joined to help with my BJJ.”
While Goodman does not wrestle outside of school, she values the experience as it assists in her other athletic endeavors.
When asked about being part of a growing movement of female wrestlers, Goodman said, “I never really thought about that, but it definitely feels good when you think about it. More women should definitely get into wrestling or just MMA in general. I have never met someone who told me they regret it.”
Despite facing challenges this season, Goodman remains determined.
“My season has had a lot of bumps and losses,” she said. “I have only gotten three varsity wins, which is a significant amount less than anyone else on my team, but I look forward to improving and getting better so I can get more varsity wins later on.”
