Menlo National Champion Solin Piearcy Tells Her Story
Solin Piearcy at the 2019 WCWA National Championships. Photo credit: menloathletics.com
Menlo senior Solin Piearcy was the 136-pound 2019 WCWA & NAIA National Champion and a 3x WCWA All-American.
I was bouncing at the top of the water slides, feeling good after drinking 16 ounces of pressed coconut water, when I saw teammates waving vigorously at me. I took off my headphones smiling, thinking they're asking me to join them at the jacuzzi. But, the next few words shot through my heart instantly, “Sol! They CANCELLED Nationals!” In disbelief, I dashed down the stairs towards my teammates, doubting they would cancel the tournament the day before it’s held. They all showed me text messages and Instagram posts about the cancellation. The waterworks started coming in, but I held it together. I told myself it wasn’t over until I heard it from the coaches directly. In the meantime, some of us decided to hop in the pool and drag a few others in too.
Reality struck once we all received a message from Coach Bareng for a team meeting. My heart dropped, but I stayed hopeful––until I walked into the room and saw all of the coaches’ faces. I bawled instantly. Michelle, our athletic trainer, hugged me, and that’s when I knew Nationals wasn’t happening. I sat on the floor heartbroken, and it only hurt even more when Coach Bareng officially announced to us, “The NAIA National Tournament is canceled. Your season is effectively over.”
The team was distraught. We traveled all the way out to North Dakota, cutting weight, anticipating our best matches ahead of us, gunning after the team and individual national titles, and qualifying for the Olympic Trials, but these opportunities that seemed to be at our fingertips disappeared in an instant. What I’d give to have just one more match in front of my family and mat side with my sisters and coaches... Many of the underclassmen came to offer me comfort in hugs and words after the team meeting. The coaches and the seniors stayed back. Marilyn Garcia, Precious Bell, and I were all hugging each other disheartened about how our senior season ended before it was even completed. We individually thanked our coaches for all their support during our collegiate wrestling careers, and thought of our other three seniors who weren’t able to come on the trip with us. I also thought of my fellow competitors who came to compete at the second women’s wrestling NAIA national tournament. While this was a bitter way to end the season, the team understood this cancellation was in the best interest for public health.
When I finally thought I contained the tears, I found myself frantically racing down the hotel hall to my family’s room. I tried to outrun my thoughts and emotions, but it all caught up to me once again when my dad opened the door. It was the first time my family would've watched me compete from the stands at a collegiate tournament outside of California. Though it didn’t happen, I am so thankful to have such a supportive family. They said they still enjoyed seeing me with my team and in our element, even if we had to travel back to Menlo matchless the day of the previously scheduled competition. But, it didn’t seem to get any better.
Shortly after returning from the canceled nationals, shelter in place took effect in the Bay Area due to the increasing severity of the pandemic. It’s honestly been difficult for me to process this crisis. On top of the cancellation of nationals, my college graduation is postponed, and my future seems to be swallowed in uncertainty. And, beyond just myself, everyone around the world has been impacted by the rapidly changing circumstances of COVID-19. Unfortunately, many have lost their lives to this virus, including those who are helping save lives against this invisible global enemy. At the start of the new year, I remember everyone excitedly chanting, “2020 vision,” with hopes and plans to have the most prosperous time of their lives thus far. While this year took a drastic turn for all of us, I believe it still brought about 2020 vision. This worldwide crisis is reminding us to appreciate the things we tend to take for granted–– each other’s company and compassion as well as our own health.
With all this time at home, I find myself reflecting on my collegiate career. I’m thankful for all the connections I made while at Menlo College––fellow students, athletes, staff, faculty, and particularly, my wrestling family. Four years ago, I signed to Menlo College’s women’s wrestling team, which was the only female collegiate wrestling program in California at the time. I remember coming into Menlo my freshman year with the team goal of winning nationals, which was exceptionally realized last year with two team national titles, as well as my two individual national titles. Coming into this season, our life and wisdom wrestling coach encouraged every Menlo wrestler to have our one word for the year. Mine was passion. Everything I did, I pursued with passion. I’m able to say I left everything on the mat when I could. Though my season ended on a silent note, I am proud of everything my team and I have accomplished as we strived to be leaders and champions off and on the mat.
Instead of focusing on the looming uncertainty caused by COVID-19, I now view it as another adversity to adjust and prevail. I’ve also been challenging myself to dabble in new activities, which I find myself falling in love with some of these newfound interests. Thanks to technology, I have ways to stay in touch with loved ones and ways to stay active during social distancing. On top of the body weight workouts our strength coach provides, social media also has plenty of ideas for workouts and the team also has online yoga sessions together. When my brother works out with me, laps around the house ends up being tag, and I tend to be “it” most of the time. We also wrestle and drill on the grass in our backyard. Now, every morning, I am grateful to be alive and I look forward to staying active, especially because I’m hungry for more––and this time it’s not because of the weight cut. I’m left with unfinished business, and I bet I’m not the only one who’s planning their return to the mat.
With everything that’s going on around the world, I encourage people to think of ways to extend their kindness to others. Wishing you and your loved ones the best of health.
Solin Piearcy –– Menlo College Class of 2020
WCWA and NAIA 2019 National Champ