Pacific Index

Shananiah Cassidy may be a freshman, but she’s hit the mat hard in her first season as a Boxer wrestler

   In some ways, everyone is a product of their environment. Physical, or familial; we all carry ourselves through life with the lessons we’ve been taught along the way. For freshman Shananiah Cassidy, it was the love of a sport that was embedded in her upbringing. 

   Growing up in Vancouver, Wash., “I started wrestling when I was seven,” she explained. “A rite of passage for the family, as wrestling had always been a staple in the household. “For 25 years, my dad has coached all around the area, schools, programs, and camps,” she added. It was a given that Cassidy and her two siblings would grow up on the mat. All of her work and dedication through her early years allowed her to graduate high school as a State Champion, and begin her collegiate journey. 

   Aside from wrestling, Pacific was a top choice for Cassidy due to the educational programs offered. She plans to graduate with a degree in education with a minor in communication science disorders. For a lot of athletes, especially freshmen, it can be hard finding that everyday routine, but she finds herself balancing her life pretty efficiently during the season. Cassidy noted, “I’ve heard a lot of people talk about how they struggle with their schedules. I’ve been good with it so far.” 

   Transitioning to collegiate wrestling at Pacific University, Cassidy faced new challenges, but was eager to prove herself. The higher level of competition and the demands of academics and athletics only fuels her determination. 

   Since being in season, Cassidy has found the team at Pacific to be a welcoming environment. She noted that there were high numbers of freshmen on the team this year, making the uncertainty of joining a new team lessen. Right off the bat, Cassidy was noted as being a top name for the freshman class by the head coach, Zachary Blinkerd in the season preview. And, only three months into her first year, after going 4-0 with three pins at her Pacific wrestling debut, she was given athlete of the month at Pacific. This month, Cassidy hopes to be competing at the Regional Competition in Texas for her spot at nationals. 

   Just recently, The NCAA officially recognized women’s wrestling as a sport. When asked what this means for her, Cassidy spoke about growing up in such a male-dominated sport. “It was rough, but I never knew anything different. Sometimes the guys would pull my hair or their coaches would make them forfeit because I was a girl,” she said. With the new recognition of women’s wrestling as a sport, Cassidy believes it will bring more opportunities for young women to be able to see media coverage and know there is a spot for them in this scene. Looking ahead, Cassidy has set her sights on becoming a national champion and hopes to inspire other young girls to pursue wrestling.