In October, two talented College Park wrestlers got to partake in the monumental experience they have dreamed about for years-signing day. For Isabella DeGeorgio and Brittyn Corbishley (Defending 6A State Champion), victories, challenges, and memories came back into focus as they took the first step towards their future.
"I felt really proud of myself and everyone else at signing day. I never felt like I was going to get to this point. It's been a rough road so it felt like a relief," William Penn University commit, Isabella DeGeorgio said.
Brittyn and Isabella both began seriously focusing on their wrestling careers when they entered high school as freshmen. Both girls were inspired to get involved in the sport by family members. DeGeorgio credits her father for encouraging her to wrestle and Corbishley credits wrestlers in her family for influencing her to work hard towards her athletic goals.
"I started wrestling because my brother and grandpa wrestled. I was inspired to beat my brother," Texas Wesleyan University commit, Brittyn Corbishley said.
Under the guidance of College Park head wrestling coach, Erik Spjut, Brittyn and Isabella progressed each year as talented athletes. As varsity members, the girls attended over 15 tournaments each season and spent countless hours in the wrestling room training intensely. All of their hard work would pay off after each match win. However, particular victories were especially impactful.
"Each year at state I've just been getting better and placing higher and higher and I finally won this year", Brittyn Corbishley said.
During Brittyn's freshmen and sophomore seasons, she placed sixth and fourth respectfully at the UIL State Wrestling Championships. This past season as a junior, Brittyn was able to claim the state title in the 185-pound bracket. Brittyn's extraordinary victory came with years of commitment and drive. She hopes to reclaim her state title this season before she heads to compete at the college level. Isabella DeGeorgio considers winning the 2020 Morton Ranch tournament in the 110- pound bracket as her biggest accomplishment throughout her high school career. Brittyn and Isabella's successes helped attract college programs from around the state and country to recognize their potential as future college athletes.
"I met Coach Tucker Black (William Penn University) at a February tournament and spoke with him. After I visited campus I knew it was for me," Isabella DeGeorgio said.
After meeting the coaching staff at their future colleges, both girls felt like the programs aligned with their wrestling goals well and saw themselves thriving with the team. Brittyn and Isabella committed in October in front of their families, teammates, coaches, and the College Park community. Brittyn is headed to Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth while Isabella will be attending William Penn University in Oskaloosa, Iowa beginning in Fall 2021.
"During signing day, I felt like I finally earned my state title and all of my other accomplishments. I am so ready for college wrestling," Brittyn Corbishley said.
As accomplished female athletes in a sport that used to be dominated by males, Brittyn and Isabella credit their success to believing in themselves and not letting pressure get the best of them. They also believe that having fun while competing is another key component to victories. Isabella and Brittyn have a bright future ahead of them as they look ahead to the rest of the 2020-2021 wrestling season and towards their college careers beginning in Fall 2021.