Women’s History Month Celebration: North Fort Myers Women’s Wrestling Team

NORTH FORT MYERS, Florida. Women’s sports have definitely changed in the last 50 years and have made even bigger strides in the last 20 years.

Girls right here in the Southwest Florida community are finding the courage and strength to be pioneers in the world of sports. Yvette Sanchez of Fox 4 talks about one team getting stronger physically and mentally.

Strength is definitely something that the North Fort Myers women’s weightlifting team lacks. We were able to find out what made these girls want to be a part of something bigger than themselves and how they empower each other.

“I like challenges, so I like sports that really push me and make me stand out,” says Mallory Alcorn of North Fort Myers Wrestling and Weightlifting. Because of Mallory’s spirit, she is on the carpet of the North Fort Myers women’s wrestling team despite her doubts. “I was a little worried that there would be a lot of people who would be much stronger than me, but it just motivated me to get better.”

Her strong and focused demeanor motivates others on the team.

Addison Slabo is a sophomore and is on the North Fort Myers weightlifting team, cheerleading and equestrian. “I’m a farm boy, so I’m pretty strong. And when the coach came, found me and said: “Hey, join the team”, I tried it and I liked it!”

Addison is a fierce leader, focused on his personal goals as well as those of his team. She also causes laughter with her energetic spirit. Addison is also welcoming and into equestrianism, saying that weightlifting gives her something else she didn’t know she needed. “I became stronger mentally. I can focus on one thing and forget about the other. The first thing I will tell myself if I start over is to focus on myself and not compare with others.”

The women’s weightlifting team at North Fort Myers has been in existence since 2020. Women’s weightlifting first entered the world stage at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, which was a significant year for 85 athletes from 48 countries.

Now the North Fort Myers team is committed to fostering a culture of inclusion, hard work and dedication no matter the outcome. “I have noticed that the more I work out, the better the result I get, and the more I turn to my trainers for help, I notice that my exercises get much better and I have more friends. This helped me a lot. “adds Mallory.

Characteristics and friendships are what these girls will take with them after their high school years. “Just keep persevering and you can do it. I can do it! I’ll get up and tomorrow will be another day! keeps me moving.” Mallory says her goal for this year is to shed more than she weighs, and she’s close to it.

As for Addison, she says she wants to push all those numbers as high as possible. And let me tell you, she said it with such confidence that we here at Fox 4 have no doubt that they will both achieve whatever goal they set for themselves.