Stephens continuing success on the mat at University of the Cumberlands

(Story by Trevor Sherman)

Just a few short years ago, Jaine Stephens started making waves as the only active female high school wrestler in our local area. As a middle schooler competing at the varsity level for Whitley County High School, the California native was regularly wrestling against, and pinning, many of her male counterparts.

Photo courtesy of UNIVERSITY of the CUMBERLANDS SPORTS INFORMATION

Fast forward to present day, and not only has girls wrestling become much more commonplace in our area, but the sport as a whole has exploded in popularity, with several other schools in the region adding teams to their athletic programs.

Stephens and her family have certainly played a large role in that increased popularity, with her father, Donnie Stephens, serving as the head coach of the women’s wrestling team at the University of the Cumberlands since 2013. Stephens’ mother, Shirley, has also remained a very active advocate for the sport of wrestling, and her younger brother, also named Donnie, is just leaving WCHS as a member of the class of 2022 after enjoying his own success on the mat for the Colonels.

Jaine Stephens and her brother were standouts on the soccer field during their tenures at Whitley as well, with Jaine helping the Lady Colonels achieve some important milestone victories between 2014-2018. Still, even though she played soccer with a great deal of passion and intensity, wrestling has always been her first love.

It should come as no surprise that, when the time came for Stephens to choose where she would continue her education and her athletic endeavors, she chose to remain in Williamsburg and compete for her father at the University of the Cumberlands. Now, after three years of hard work and dedication, she is obtaining her bachelor’s degree a year early. She still has three years of eligibility left as a wrestler, however, thanks in part to the COVID make-up year that was offered to student-athletes affected by the recent pandemic.

Reflecting back on her high school days, Stephens said recently, “It was scary being the only girl on the team when I first started wrestling here in Kentucky, so winning my first match as a wrestler for Whitley County was amazing. I really think this moment sealed the deal for me and my teammates. All the guys were so excited for me, and it really reassured me that I was doing the right thing.”

Photo courtesy of UNIVERSITY of the CUMBERLANDS

“Placing at the Lafayette tournament my sophomore year with Coach [Ralph] Carte in my corner was so much fun,” Stephens added, recounting another favorite memory. “He really pushed me that season to be a better wrestler, and a better person in general. Placing at that tournament just felt like everything we were doing, all of the time and effort that people were giving me to help me be better, was paying off.”

Now getting the opportunity to live out one of her dreams as a collegiate wrestler, Stephens said, “It has been nothing short of amazing to compete at the college level. It is definitely hard work, and it can be tiring, but it gives you a whole group of people that love and support you. My college team has become my family, and I’m forever grateful for that.”

When asked about her goals for the remainder of her time at Cumberlands, Stephens said, “I hope to place at nationals before I am done, and I really just want to continue to help grow girls wrestling in Kentucky. If I can make a difference for just one girl each year that I compete at the college level, that is more than enough for me.”

With her undergraduate studies complete, Stephens said she plans on pursuing a Masters Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and she hopes to have the opportunity to lend a hand with some of our local high school wrestling teams. When asked what advice she has for those young athletes hoping to be in her shoes one day soon, she said, “Wherever you are, be all there. Be present in everything that you do, whether it’s practice, competitions, in the classroom or anywhere else. Time moves faster than you think, so don’t be afraid to put your whole self into what you’re doing. There is never a moment you can get back, so make it count.”

For more information on the University of the Cumberlands women’s wrestling program, as well as all other Patriot athletics, visit them online at www.cumberlandspatriots.com.