two points for reversal
These girls will cry with their friends for a moment. Then they wipe their tears, adjust their headgear, and get right back to wrestling their hearts out.
Over the past few months, I’ve had the privilege of capturing photo and video for the West Fargo United Girls Wrestling program—and they’ve become some of the most humbling and inspiring young people I’ve ever worked with.
This team is made up of teenage girls from schools across the area, all training together under head coach Zachary Francois—someone who serves our community in more ways than just coaching. Coach Francois is also a Recruiting First Sergeant for the U.S. Army.
His leadership has been fascinating to observe.
Most of the time, he’s quiet—often standing alone, watching everything unfolding around him. But at any given moment, he can command the full attention of his athletes. And when he does, you see it immediately: the respect. Not just for his coaching, but for who he is. They respect him—and they genuinely enjoy him.
In my opinion, that’s a big part of why this team has become such a bright, shining beacon of hope.
Before I began freelancing in photography and videography, I spent years working with middle school and high school students across the country. But this group of young women has stopped me in my tracks. They’ve genuinely changed how I feel about the future in front of us.
If I asked you what the most common fear is, you’d probably say public speaking—and you wouldn’t be wrong. But I’ve got a new one: putting on a singlet and getting absolutely wrecked in front of a packed crowd.
Seriously—how many adults do you know who would willingly sign up for that?
In a culture constantly selling comfort and ease, there’s something radically countercultural happening on these mats. It’s incredible to watch young people train, practice, compete, collaborate—and yes, fail—right in front of an audience.
There’s plenty of winning, sure. But what’s impacted me the most this season is something else entirely.
It’s the way these girls give everything they have. It’s the way they’re devastated by a loss… and then rally, reset, and step right back into it.
That kind of character sticks with you.
Over the past few months, their example has spoken louder to me than many of the voices holding high office. At a time when it’s easy to turn on the news and feel discouraged, I’ve found something very different here.
Pictures from STATES here.
