Since the passage of Title IX in 1972 opened doors for girls’ sports, girls’ wrestling has steadily grown, emerging in the late 1980s and 1990s and exploding in popularity over the past decade. In May 2023, the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association officially sanctioned girls’ wrestling after reaching the required 100-school threshold, with Mt. Lebanon among those programs.

Lebo senior Paige Jox began wrestling as a freshman, inspired by her father, who had been involved in the sport throughout his life. She recently committed to Washington & Jefferson College to continue both her academic and athletic careers.

“The head women’s coach at W&J, Coach Krenzelak, has put so much time and effort into working with me and has believed in me and my skills, even through losses, which means a lot,” Jox said. “I also love the plans he has for the team, like group activities, providing resources and taking trips to other countries.”

Jox placed second in the WPIAL during both the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, compiling a 70-21 record. Her success has helped spotlight girls’ wrestling as a legitimate and growing sport at Mt. Lebanon. She said her proudest accomplishment was qualifying for nationals last year, where she won four matches.

Now a senior, Jox sees herself as a leader.

“I was part of our very first girls’ wrestling team, so I feel really proud being a senior and getting to see how the team has evolved,” she said. “We’re all really close, and it honestly feels more like a family than a team. My teammates are some of my closest friends, and I think of them as my sisters because of how much time we spend together.”

Jox wrestles six days a week and lifts or does cardio beforehand, totaling nearly 15 workouts per week.

Junior Sophia Beanner began wrestling at age 11, also inspired by her father. As a freshman, she placed sixth in the WPIAL at 100 pounds and described this season’s team dynamic as “incredible.”

That bond became especially meaningful when Beanner learned she had a resurfaced childhood hip issue that doctors recommended repairing surgically. Instead, she chose to strengthen it so she could continue wrestling.

Her resilience and commitment have made her a role model for younger teammates.

“Since I’m an upperclassman and have experience in the sport, people see me as someone they can come to with questions, whether it’s about wrestling or anything in general,” Beanner said.

Throughout her wrestling career, Jox has faced her own challenges, including struggles with self-confidence. She recalled breaking into tears before matches, questioning whether she could win.

“It wasn’t nerves — it was straight fear,” Jox said. “I felt so much pressure to live up to rankings and other people’s expectations. The best thing I did was create the mentality that I can beat anyone if I put my mind to it.”

Now, she said, she approaches each match without focusing on rankings or opponents, maintaining the mindset that she can win.

On difficult days, Jox reminds herself that wrestling is a privilege — one not all athletes have, whether due to coaching, teammates or physical health.

For Beanner, motivation comes from remembering how painful losing feels, pushing her to work harder to experience the excitement of success.

Before mentally challenging matches, she turns to her father for reassurance.

“He reminds me to do what I know how to do and trust myself and my abilities,” Beanner said. “I also like to visualize matches and think through different situations and the moves I can use.”

For younger wrestlers, Beanner encourages perseverance through tough practices and frustrations, noting that the reward of success makes the hard work worthwhile.

Jox said the growth of girls’ wrestling has inspired her to encourage others to join the sport.

“It’s inspired me to be a role model for girls who might be new to wrestling and to show that anything is possible,” she said. “It might seem scary at first, but wrestling is unique and will build confidence and teach life lessons you wouldn’t expect.”

As the team prepares for its first home tournament against Pine-Richland on Jan. 7, that mindset will guide Lebo’s wrestlers onto the mat.