KINGSTON, Pa. — Behind the walls of an old bank building along Wyoming Avenue in Kingston sits a training ground of wrestling champions at Wyoming Seminary. It's where Emma Grimes has learned the ropes.
"I've learned a lot of discipline, and you know, a lot of stuff to keep in the game. Because it's hard being a girl," said Grimes.
The soon-to-be-ninth grader has been wrestling for the past five years at Wyoming Seminary. In that short time, she's taken home multiple state, national, and international titles. Some of her accolades include the 2022 USA Wrestling National Champion and the 2023 Tallin Open International Champion.
"When I first started, it was just to be better than my brother, and I seemed to like it a lot more than him. I started going to bigger tournaments and started to see a lot of growth over the years," Grimes humbly stated.
Grimes' success is no surprise, as she's been training with the best of the best for years.
"I have always loved Kennedy (Blades). When I first met her in sixth grade, she was so sweet. She would also include everyone. I remember watching her at the Olympic trials," said the teen.
Soon, a new face will be hanging on the wall of Wyoming Seminary greats. Kennedy Blades will soon be on the global stage in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Blades will be the 11th Olympic athlete who attended the school.
"I've just been focusing on my training and being excited and happy," said Blades.
Blades attended Wyoming Seminary when the girls' wrestling program was in its infancy and prior to the PIAA sanctioning girls wrestling as an official sport in 2023. By the time Blades graduated, the team was ranked number one nationally, and Blades was one of the top recruits in the country.
"I already knew what it took to get to this highest level because we were the best at Sem," said Blades.
But what's more impressive than her career record is the legacy she leaves behind on the mat.
"We need to play a role when we get to the higher levels to show these girls that anything is possible, and when you stay in sports, opportunities open up, and life-changing scenarios happen," said Blades.
She's serving as a role model to girls, just like Grimes, all over the globe.
"It's really inspiring since I'm in the same boat she is at Sem. It was really cool watching her grow. So, I'm really excited to keep wrestling," said Grimes.
It's an honor that's just about as good as gold.