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Westfield High School’s varsity girls wrestling team has nearly tripled in size in one season, growing from eight athletes to 22 as the sport rapidly gains ground across Fairfax County Public Schools.
Now in its second season as an FCPS-sanctioned sport, girls wrestling has given Westfield athletes a close-knit community while helping them develop confidence, discipline and resilience.
Senior Zoe discovered wrestling through friends on the boys’ team, who invited her to watch their practices. Their encouragement helped her feel welcome in what she now calls one of Westfield’s most supportive communities.
She is among four Westfield seniors who have been with the girls team since its launch. Zoe said wrestling also helped her overcome the social anxiety and difficulty advocating for herself that she experienced as a freshman.
Going onto the mat alone taught her to trust herself, she said, and gave her the confidence to speak up and be herself away from competition.
Senior Rebecca said the sport rewards athletes in direct proportion to their effort. Because wrestlers compete individually, she said, their preparation becomes visible in their results—a demanding process that strengthens character and mental toughness.
A Veteran Coach Stays on
Head coach Harry Van Trees has spent 42 years coaching wrestling teams in FCPS. Although he had been considering retirement, Westfield’s senior girls persuaded him to remain for several more seasons.
Some told him they might not continue wrestling without him. Van Trees encouraged them to compete for themselves while promising to keep supporting them.
He coaches alongside his son, assistant coach Harry Van Trees Jr., who has worked with his father for 10 years and plays a major role in mentoring the team.
Van Trees believes one of the most important lessons athletes can learn is to pursue the sport for their own growth. He said wrestling’s physical and mental demands help students become more confident, respectful and responsible.
He has noticed that responsibility in small ways, including athletes emailing him when they cannot attend practice—a level of communication he considers unusually professional for students their age.
From Missing the Podium to All-American
Senior Raya began wrestling on Westfield’s boys team during her freshman year and did not place at the state tournament that season. Approaching graduation, she is now an All-American and ranked third in Virginia.
Raya said wrestling taught her to remain committed, set goals, create plans and push through setbacks. She has applied to the United States Military Academy at West Point, with Van Trees writing one of her recommendation letters.
The team’s younger wrestlers are already adding to Westfield’s momentum. Freshman Amirah won every match in her weight class at a recent dual tournament, where the girls team finished in first place.
After initially questioning whether she should join, Amirah said the benefits convinced her to continue wrestling through her senior year.
Van Trees credits the team’s growth and success to an environment where athletes feel supported and valued. With nearly two dozen girls now practicing alongside a similar number of boys, Westfield’s wrestling room reflects how quickly the sport has established a home at the school.