Coaches do more than just teach athletes how to play their sport the right way and how to be successful. They can also serve as role models and examples for their athletes to look up to. Stella Edison is a wrestler at Glenpool High School and she has a few people that have helped her to get where she is today.

“I started wrestling in the seventh grade,” she stated. “I have had a few coaches who have shown me so much support. Rusty Davis, Trent Cleveland, and Buddy Hackler have had and still have an impact on me. Ty Bowling, who is now at Sand Springs, took me under his wing and taught me so much, traveling out of state for tournaments and just being a huge support for me and my family. I love and appreciate them all. One of my biggest influences is coach Leroy Smith. When we first met five years ago he wasn’t a fan of a girl in the wrestling room. But I slowly earned his respect and he has helped make me into the wrestler I am today. He has been a part of Glenpool wrestling for almost 50 years and he was recently inducted into the Oklahoma Wrestling Hall of Fame.”

Edison, who is in her junior year, is also a member of the Glenpool track team. Outside of sports, she is involved in the National Honor Society and student council.

As a student-athlete, Stella knows that when she steps up to compete, she is doing it for more than just herself. Representing the name on the uniform is important to her.

“It means a lot to me,” Edison said. “This is my home. I’ve gone to Glenpool Public Schools my whole life and have wanted to be something in the athletic programs since I could remember.”

Trent Cleveland is the head wrestling coach at Glenpool and he says that Edison has made her mark on the program.

“Stella is one of the three returning state placers,” Cleveland said. “She is the first and only girl’s state placer ever at Glenpool. She is currently the only high school girl representing Glenpool girls’ wrestling and has been for the last three years.”