Sterling, Va. — Potomac Falls High School senior Jessienna Burkett-Erice has made a commitment to continue her wrestling career at Lyon College starting in the 2018-2019 school year.
“It feels kinda crazy, to be honest. I never thought I would wrestle in college or even go to a college out of state,” the 5-foot-3 Burkett-Erice said. “I feel extremely blessed for this opportunity that Coach Kevin Corbett has given to me and the support my family has given me to go.”
[adrotate banner=”19″]Lyon is one of just 39 colleges in the United States with women’s wrestling programs, competing in the Women’s Collegiate Wrestling Association.
Led by first-year head coach Kevin Corbett, the Scots are currently 4-3 in 2017-2018 and will hope to compete in the WCWA National Championships in Oklahoma City on February 9-10.
“I think I will add my mindset of goal setting at Lyon. If you create goals with mini goals to achieve that one big goal, it is easier to achieve,” Burkett-Erice said. “I go into matches with small goals – like getting the first takedown or I want to throw her – and I continue to build off of those goals, which will ultimately help me reach my goal of winning my match. I feel this applies to everything in life and will give my future teammates a different outlook to whatever they want to apply it to.”
Burkett-Erice had to overcome some adversity to achieve her goals at Potomac Falls, where she most recently ended her senior season with a sixth place finish at the Potomac District championships.
“My experience wrestling with Potomac Falls has been something of a roller coaster. I will admit there was questioning on my ability to wrestle on the boys team, but I think that is all in the past,” said Burkett-Erice, who wrestles at 106 pounds. “I enjoy wrestling with my teammates and the connections I have made this year.”
Burkett-Erice’s parents – who are both varsity wrestling coaches at Riverside High School – encouraged her to wrestle from a young age. Burkett-Erice decided to give it a shot to help extend her karate training.
“I was always at practice with them and just grew up around the sport,” Burkett-Erice said. “I believe wrestling gave me more of an edge on my karate competition and pushed me to the 2016 World Championships in Ireland. Now, I wrestle because the challenge it brings to my mind and body every day is like no other challenge I have experienced before.”