Willard’s Higginbotham to represent US at international sports competition

Will wrestle as part of Team USA in Bahrain this fall
A Willard High School student will represent the United States in an international sports competition being held this fall. Ellie Higginbotham, 15, will take part in the International School Sports Federation’s Gymnasiade, a multi-sports games event being held at Manama, Bahrain, where she will wrestle for Team USA. The event takes place from Oct. 23 through Oct. 31.
Started wrestling in seventh grade
Ellie said she began wrestling while she was in middle school.
“I decided to go into wrestling when I was in seventh grade and there was an opportunity for a girls’ team,” she said. “My brother wrestled for our Willard Youth Team when I was little, so I knew what wrestling was before joining. I liked watching my brother wrestle and the way the wrestling community became a family. So, when I had the same opportunity to be a part of the community like that, I knew I wanted to do it.”
Name submission leads to Team USA
Ellie came to the attention of Team USA’s coordinator, she said, when her mother, Tracey Higginbotham, submitted her name for consideration.
“The team coordinator had said she was looking for a couple of different weight classes,” Ellie said. “My mom sent her my name. Then a phone call between the team coordinator and my mom took place (one) Sunday morning. She (my mom) was told the 152 (lb.) spot was mine. I was very shocked; it took a while for it to sink in. But the more I talked about it with my parents, the more I realized this would be an amazing experience.”
Working hard to get ready for October
To prepare for the competition, Ellie has been putting a lot of time in practice and taking part in training camps.
“I’ve gone to three camps this summer,” she said. “We just got back from one a few weekends ago. I am practicing in a wrestling room four days a week. Once school starts in August, I’ll be weightlifting and in the wrestling room at least five days a week.”
Later this fall, Ellie said, she will meet up with the rest of the team before leaving for Bahrain.
“I’ll have to travel to the city the whole team will depart from,” she said. “It’s looking like that might be Chicago. All of the wrestlers will get there a day or two before our flight, and the coaching staff plans on getting us some workouts and practices before we get on the flight to Bahrain. Once there, we will have at least one training day in the facility.”
Opportunity could lead to bigger, better things
Ellie said she believes that her being chosen to take part in Gymnasiade shows what is possible with hard work and dedication.
“I want to wrestle for Team USA in Bahrain because I know it will be a good opportunity for me,” she said. “I’ve put in a lot of work the past three years. This (shows) me that if you work hard, you could have some amazing opportunities come your way, and that hopefully, you’ll get noticed by those that can help with your future goals. I’m pretty nervous right now, but when I get to Chicago and start practicing, I know that all the work that I’ve put in will show, and that I’ll be okay.”
If she makes a good showing in Gymnasiade, Ellie believes the competition could open other doors for her.
“If I do well, it could help solidify future team spots,” she said, “It could put me on the radar of other coaches, so I could be asked to join other teams, (and) it could put me on the radar for college coaches. So, I think this could definitely have a positive impact on my future.”
Fundraising required for team fee
Ellie is prepared to face stiff competition when she wrestles in Bahrain. In the meantime, however, she is facing a different obstacle: the financial cost of taking part in the competition. She is required to pay for a host of expenses, including airfare, other transport, food, lodging, tournament fees, her passport and more as part of her team fee.
To help raise funds, Higginbotham has set up a Go Fund Me page for Ellie, and Ellie herself has requested donations from local businesses and has had offers at some locations to set out donation jars. However, she is not relying solely on assistance from others to raise the funds she needs.
“Ellie Is working a summer job at A1 Windshield Repair in Springfield,” Higginbotham said. “She is putting most of her paychecks towards the trip.”
Higginbotham said she and Ellie have also discussed other fundraising ideas.
“(We) have talked about other ways we could raise the money,” she said, “such as a bake sale, a car/bike wash, a dessert auction, a 50/50 raffle, and maybe even her teaching a wrestling clinic for younger wrestlers in the area. Also, Ellie is making bracelets for purchase. They are more of a friendship style, rather than beads.”
Ellie’s Go Fund Me page is located at www.gofundme.com and is titled “Help Ellie Represent Team USA in Wrestling.” For other opportunities to help, visit Tracey Higginbotham’s Facebook page.