Sports Spotlight - Windermere Observer: Shania Gowan

After winning an individual state championship as a sophomore, Dr. Phillips’ Shania Gowan hasn’t slowed down as a junior. Gowan competed in the KSA Holiday Duals at the ESPN Wide World of Sports and was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Wrestler, helping the Panthers to sweep all six matches and win the tournament.

How hard has the conditioning portion of training for wrestling been?

My original weight when I started was 230 (pounds), and it was hard, because I was not in the best shape, and I couldn’t run a lap. Being 160 (pounds) now, and starting to get the cardio up through training, it’s hard (work). 

Was it unexpected when the team won the state championship last year?

It wasn’t unexpected, because we trained hard, and right now we’re defending it. It was really cool.

What was it like to win a state championship as an individual?

It was very rewarding — I started crying at the end. I knew that all the hard work that I put in, I deserved it. I’m going to defend it and be back there and win another state champ.

How do you get ready for a match?

I’ll put my headset on and start to listen to music. Before my match, I pray, and then when I know I’m OK, I wrestle. I’m very calm on the mat, so I don’t stress it. I know I got it, and God’s got me.

How has your wrestling coach, Kirwyn Adderly, helped you improve?

He helped me physically and mentally. Like I said, I wasn’t at the best weight. He pushed me, and he’s very kind-hearted.

How do you balance competing as a wrestler and in girls weightlifting at the same time?

They’re both after school. Right after school is weightlifting, and at 5 p.m. it’s wrestling. My afternoons are busy. 

What is the typical reaction you get when you tell people you wrestle?

They say “What?! You wrestle?!” I’m very proud to be a wrestler.

What is something you’ve learned this year?

Being an athlete is hard. If you’re an athlete full-time, you don’t really have a social life. It’s hard to have friends, because they don’t understand the hard work you’re doing. 

Do you think you would like to go to college?

I want to go to college, and I want to do sports medicine or anything within the medical field. I want to wrestle in college.

What was your New Year’s resolution?

My New Year’s resolution is to have the best cardio and to interact with my family more. To stay open-minded and maintain my head over my shoulders.

If you’re stuck on a deserted island with a TV, Blu-ray player and just one movie — which movie would you choose?

It would have to be “Lilo & Stitch.” I love kid movies.