Panorama High girls’ wrestling team

Wrestlers on the Panorama High School girls' team watch a teammate during a tournament at the L.A. Convention Center. "There are still men out there that think women don't belong on the mat," says assistant coach Richard Ramos. "It sounds like boys are tougher, but to be honest, the girls are a lot tougher than the boys," he says.

Wrestlers on the Panorama High School girls’ team watch a teammate during a tournament at the L.A. Convention Center. “There are still men out there that think women don’t belong on the mat,” says assistant coach Richard Ramos. “It sounds like boys are tougher, but to be honest, the girls are a lot tougher than the boys,” he says.  (Christina House / For the Times)

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For most teenage girls, having their bodies and weight on display in front of their classmates is a nightmare scenario. But the 14 young women of the Panorama High girls’ wrestling team have proven to be braver than your average teen. They’ve broken into a male-dominated sport that doesn’t fully welcome them. And they’re trying to transcend old notions of femininity -- within their school, their families and themselves.
Read more: Wrestling down stereotypes

Before the match

Wrestling team co-captain Diana Oliva listens to the boy band One Direction before a match. When the team formed, some mothers had marched into the gym and pulled their daughters from the group, saying the sport wasn’t ladylike, according to head coach Abby Herrera.  (Christina House / For the Times)

On the mat

Panorama High wrestlers Leslie de los Reyes, right, and Josselyn Pacheco practice before a tournament.  (Christina House / For the Times)

Grappling

Melanie Carter, top, wrestles during a home match. At Panorama High School, a few girls had participated on the boys’ team, but coach Abby Herrera thought they’d do better on their own. School administrators gave her the go-ahead for an all-girls team.   (Christina House / For the Times)

After a loss

Head coach Abby Herrera, left, comforts Panorama High wrestler Melanie Carter after she lost a match.   (Christina House / For the Times)

Teammates

Stephanie Gallegos comforts a teammate who is inside a bathroom stall after losing her wrestling match at Panorama High School.  (Christina House / For the Times)

Early morning ride

Panorama High School wrestlers, both boys’ and girls’ teams, ride a bus to downtown Los Angeles in the early morning for a tournament at the L.A. Convention Center.   (Christina House / For the Times)

Tournament

Panorama High wrestler Kaylee Acuña, one of the team captains, right, wears her wrestling singlet with a pair of boots during a tournament at the L.A. Convention Center.  (Christina House / For the Times)

Practice room

Panorama High wrestlers Marjorie Tabion, Coellet Rangel, Stephanie Gallegos, and Melissa Martinez, from left, hang out in the practice room before a home match. The girls revel in their bruises and gossip about prom.   (Christina House / For the Times)

Class work

Panorama High wrestler Coellet Rangel, right, wears her wrestling singlet to class. Her coach calls her “The Beast.”  (Christina House / For the Times)

Stretch

Kaylee Acuña, one of the team captains, relaxes her back against a wall as teammates wrestle in the practice room at Panorama High School.  (Christina House / For the Times)

Team spirit

The Panorama High School girls’ wrestling team members bow their heads before a home meet.   (Christina House / For the Times)

Rolling up the mat

The female wrestlers of Panorama High School roll up the mats after a home match. Though gaining in numbers, only about 3% of high school wrestlers are girls, about 8,000 nationwide in 2012.   (Christina House / For the Times)

Defeat

Panorama High wrestler Marjorie Tabion, right, is comforted by assistant coach Richard Ramos after getting pinned during the city championship.   (Christina House / For the Times)

City champions

Members of the girls’ wrestling team of Panorama High School pose for photos with their city championship trophy and plaque.   (Christina House / For the Times)