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.”
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.”
