Since fifth grade, Phoenix Waters has been wrestling. And it has become her main obsession. Stating at the club level here in Manchester, she is currently a fourth-year varsity wrestler. She also wrestles for Team Michigan, an all-women’s travel team, and has done so for the past six years.

Phoenix is a two-time state placer in the MHSAA; her first year she was runner-up and in her second year she came in third place. She also holds two national titles in women’s wrestling, and has placed as an All-American 12 times including at the Women’s Nationals in Oklahoma City.

“This year has been very stressful for her,” says her mom, Connie Waters. “She wants very badly to have a senior season and a last time on the mat with her ‘brothers’.”

It is likely there will be an abbreviated season for the wrestling team this year (“they hope to start yesterday,” according to Connie!), but regardless of what happens this winter, next year Phoenix will be wrestling for Lourdes University in Sylvania, Ohio.

“Phoenix was originally recruited by six schools,” her mom explains. “She narrowed it down to Adrian, Albion, and Lourdes. She was familiar with Coach Dom and Coach Kate through Team Michigan. Lourdes is a Catholic school, and when she visited she fell in love with the beautiful campus and the relaxed religious feel of it. She felt like God was pulling her there.”

Phoenix plans to major in secondary education with the ultimate goal of becoming an AP literature teacher at the high school level. She currently holds a 4.07 GPA at Manchester High School and is a member of the National Honor Society. Her favorite subject in school is English.

But mostly, she looks forward to competing at the college level, making new friends, and being independent.

Phoenix wishes to thanks Coaches Vlcek, Bearce, and Hines for their support through the years, as well as her teammates, especially Jacob Shelby. “Shelby and Steve always pushed her past where she thought she could go,” Connie adds.

Congratulations and best of luck in college, Phoenix!