A Lineman, a Wrestler, and a Queen

By Jillian Daley

North Marion senior Esmerelda Pacheco Contreras had an amazing Fall Term as the only female athlete to letter on the Football Team and one of the few girls to ever join the team. Now, her Winter Term’s already playing out to be just as exciting as she breaks new ground on the Wrestling Team.

This school year, Pacheco Contreras has been involved in three sports, two of which are traditionally played by male athletes, football and wrestling, and she plans to play another sport in the coming year. She’s a student leader on the Associated Student Body (ASB), helping to organize fundraisers and school activities. She’s even been the belle of the ball at a recent dance.

An Exceptional Athlete

This November, Pacheco Contreras became one of the few girls to join the Wrestling Team, and she now is leading the High School’s first-ever female Wrestling Team. She’s guiding this 11-member team while also participating in basketball as a post. Plus, once the season is over, she plans to take up her familiar place on the Track Team (shot put and discus).

This October, Pacheco Contreras not only earned a place on the homecoming court, her peers voted to crown her as their homecoming queen. She also became not only a member of the Football Team, but a lineman, and one with remarkable skills, which her coaches recognized during the 3A Special District 1 conference.

“North Marion has had other girls play on the Football Team, but Esme was honored by the other coaches as Honorable Mention Offensive Lineman (woman) at season's end,” Athletic Director Mark Sundquist said. “We are so proud of her and her accomplishments.”

Head Coach Michael Bicknell said what makes Pacheco Contreras stand out is that she wasn’t a kicker as female players often are when they join a football team — she was a blocker, standing firm when other players struck.

“When she came on, I talked to her and said: ‘What are your expectations?’” Bicknell said. “And she just wanted to come out and be a part of the team, which is fine: We said: ‘We won’t hold back.’ We will treat you the same as anyone else, in that we’re going to push you to be the best.”

She also pushed herself. He said Pacheco Contreras was at every practice, participated in all training, such as weight lifting, and got better as the season progressed. Bicknell said that she even “played on both sides of the ball,” becoming both a defensive and offensive lineman.

Pacheco Contreras said that she enjoyed the experience, gaining strength and ferocity as an athlete from the intense football training. She also established valuable connections with her fellow players.

“The boys were basically like brothers to me, and I had good bonds with them,” Pacheco Contreras said.

She also said that the coaches helped her excel in the game.

“I liked my coaches, how they believed in me,” Pacheco Contreras said.

A Multi-Sport Player

All her coaches said that they were overjoyed with the spirit of this young athlete.

“I am very proud of Esme and her ability to take on wrestling and basketball at the same time,” Sundquist said. “It's not easy to do one sport, but to take on two sports is admirable, and it shows her grit and determination — and sets a great example for younger female and male athletes to follow.”

Wrestling Coach Shane Sheppard agreed that Pacheco Contreras serves as a powerful role model. Yet Sheppard noted that she’s got many other gifts besides athleticism, as well.

“She maintains great grades, participates in ASB, volunteers her time to help the community,  breaks barriers by playing Boys Football, leads the women’s Basketball and Wrestling teams, as well as shines in Track and Field,” Sheppard said. “She is taking on a lot of responsibility by participating in both Basketball and Wrestling, but she is doing great. We are extremely excited to see her compete on the wrestling mat; she is a beast!”

Her interest in the Wrestling Team sparked after her success on the football field. She almost didn’t try it, though. She has been interested in football for years and wanted to join the team like her older brother, but she wasn’t sure she would be strong enough for an all-boys contact sport. It helped that her mom, Marivel Contreras, had faith in her.

“If you want to do it, you can do it, my dear,” Contreras recalled telling her daughter. 

Her mom was right. This fall season, the North Marion Football Team was stronger because of Pacheco Contreras’s determination. Her mom also encouraged her to stay focused on school, and Pacheco Contreras did that too. She got up early to study, so she could continue playing sports and keep her grades up.

“It takes effort,” Pacheco Contreras said. “You have to be true to yourself.”

She already has clear goals for her future. After she graduates from North Marion High School, she plans to attend Linn-Benton Community College in Albany. She said that she will then transfer to a four-year college, preparing for her career as an athletic trainer and physical therapist.

With such strength of spirit and character, it will surprise no one if Pacheco Contreras achieves all these goals and so much more. She does, after all, have a lineman's strength and a queen's ability to lead.

To share stories on the North Marion School District, email Communications Specialist Jillian Daley at jillian.daley@nmarion.k12.or.us.