Antwerp Local School has joined the ranks of the largest growing high school sport in the state of Ohio and the country. Christen Bauer is set to be Antwerp Local School’s first girls wrestling coach for the 2024-25 season.
Bauer has been a 5th grade teacher at Antwerp Local Schools since 2018. After attending Antwerp for her entire education, she decided to came back to Antwerp to settle down after an opening became available. She is married to Phil Bauer II, an Antwerp resident and graduate. Together they have been raising Tyler, Braxtyn, and Ava at their home in the Antwerp school district. Although Tyler is now graduated, Braxtyn and Ava attend Antwerp schools and are involved in the Antwerp wrestling community.
Over the last few years, there have been a few girl wrestlers who were competing in the boy’s schedules all year, with the exception of one or two girls tournaments. After the school and other stakeholders approved the creation of a girls wrestling team and therefore a coaching position, Bauer knew this was something that would be beneficial and much needed to grow girls wrestling at Antwerp. The position was posted internally earlier this fall and after some consideration, she decided to apply. Bauer was offered the position and she accepted gladly. “I want to be a part of the growth of girls wrestling so that young girls, including my daughter, have the option to continue girls wrestling through JH, HS, and beyond,” she stated.
Christen’s wrestling experience began after high school since, at the time of her attendance at Antwerp, they didn’t have a wrestling program at all. Wrestling wasn’t a part of her life until she met her husband. His son Tyler was involved in the youth wrestling club. Tyler decided that he wanted to expand his wrestling experiences and so as a family they had to learn quickly all about competitive wrestling lifestyle – from traveling to extra club practices around the NW Ohio and NE Indiana area, to year-round wrestling camps and practices, to National tournaments all around the country, and more. Fast forward ten years and now the Bauer’s other two children Braxton and Ava have entered the wrestling world. Christen commented, “Some of our favorite memories are mat-side during competitions of my children and attending youth-aged to collegiate wrestling events as spectators.”
Bauer is anticipating growth for this first season, “This first season, I expect to grow girls wrestling in both the JH and HS so that we can add new members who feel supported and seen as the unique student-athletes they are. The addition of this program at Antwerp Schools is a way for the coaching staff and me to build confidence in our female wrestlers that will last a lifetime.”
As of this news release, there will be both a junior high and high school girls wrestling team to represent Antwerp. Bauer is aware of at least two students will be joining the ranks of the high school team of in this maiden competition year. While the junior high girls will not have a separate schedule, but will follow the junior high boys schedule the majority of the season. The high school girls will have their own schedule, attending six area girls tournaments, as well as dual tournaments and GMC tournament to end their regular season. They will also compete at OHSAA girls sectionals in the newly formed girls division.
Official first practice will be in early November, with all potential athletes welcome to open mats on Wednesday 4:30-5:30 p.m. and Fridays 3:45-5:00 p.m. during October. Tentative rosters for both the junior high and high school teams is forth coming after regular practices begin for the season..
Antwerp Boys Wrestling Coach, Dustin Carnahan, commented about the addition of a girls wrestling division at Antwerp, “The addition of a girls coach to the Antwerp program is a blessing. I am excited to see such growth in a sport that I love. A sport that teaches us so many great values and helps build confidence. During the last few years I have witnessed tremendous support and sportsmanship in the girls wrestling community. We are extremely grateful for the opportunity to be a part of it.”
