This first-year wrestler is not letting any one—or any stereotypes get in her way.

Junior Adriana Gilliam is a first-year wrestler at Beaver Area High School. However, she has been around the sport for years.

“I have always wanted to wrestle, and seeing my brothers and his friends sparked my passion for wrestling. I always was at youth practice rolling around with them, jumping into drill and conditioning,” explained Gilliam.

Her current career record is 10-6. This record has landed her the Beaver County Times Female Athlete of the Week for the week of March 1.

This was her first time being nominated and winning athlete of the week.

“Club wrestling and weightlifting definitely helped me grow at a very fast rate. While also being in club volleyball season helped me stay conditioned. Working on technique and strength really started to help me become successful.”

Gilliam also holds the distinction of being Beaver Area’s first-ever varsity female wrestler.

“Honestly, I never was really about being the only girl on the team. Coach Alan [Alcalde] accepted me from day one and I was treated just like I was one of the guys. It took a couple weeks for some of the boys to get used to it, but by the end of the season I can say for certain I am a sister to most of them,” she explained.

Doing something this spectacular is not easy to do alone. Gilliam explained that her dad and a fellow teammate really pushed her and made her into the wrestler she is today.

“My biggest supporter was definitely my dad . . . he has been a youth coach for years and always was patient with teaching me the ‘way of wrestling.’”

“Brooks Miller was one the seniors on the team, and he always supported me on and off the mat . . . he will definitely be one of best friends for years to come. He was patient in teaching me in practice and was always so excited for me when I won my match.”

Gilliam also plays volleyball. She shares a passion for both volleyball and wrestling. She is hoping to compete in both at a D3 or D2 college after graduation.

However, not many colleges have female wrestling teams and the competition is extremely high.

Along with the “brothers” Gilliam has gained while wrestling, her actual brother, Josh Gilliam, is also on the wrestling team. Arguing and fighting doesn’t happen as often as many would think when competing alongside her sibling.

“Honestly, it depends on the day. He and I work on the same team well, but when it comes to being his practice partner . . . we both can get pretty competitive at some points and our work ethics don’t match,” she shared.

So far, Gilliam’s favorite memory has been going out to eat, talking, and joking around with the team.

They have a great time together and love spending time as a team.

“It was shocking to see all the people who support me in my athletic career and in my personal life. The wrestling team and Coach Alan [Alcalde] have always supported me since day-one, and I couldn’t have done it without them.”