Swihart Looks for State Wrestling Championship

By Jeff Steers
JTV Sports

(January 9, 2022 8:00 AM) A few too many Christmas goodies over the break may have been exactly what Hanover-Horton High School Danni Swihart needed.

In a sport where athletes struggle to keep at or near the same weight for five-plus months, it may be just what the doctor ordered for Swihart.

Swihart won the Lady Mat Cat Invitational at Montague High School in late December at 135 pounds with three pins and a 6-1 decision.

The junior had moved up from the 130-pound weight class where she finished third in an all-girl tournament earlier in the year. 

“I moved up to 135 after having a nice Christmas break and eating too much,” Swihart said. “I saw that I have a good opportunity at 135.”

Voters at MichiganGrappler.com agree, ranking Swihart as the No. 1 seed in the weight class heading forward.

Swihart and more than 200 female wrestlers are expected to compete in the first Michigan High School Athletic Association sponsored girls wrestling finals on March 4, 5 at Ford Field. 

Girls have competed in Michigan Wrestling Association state finals at Adrian over the last few years. Having the state finals sponsored by the MHSAA is a huge step in girls’ wrestling.

“I am definitely looking forward to placing at state … I want first place,” Swihart said. “It will be at Ford Field with the boys at the same time.”

Swihart placed third twice at the girls’ state meet in the past.

To qualify for the girls 2022 state finals, wrestlers will need to place in the top eight of their weight class at one of the two sectional tournaments, which will run the Sunday after the boys regional tournaments. There will be no divisions – just one tournament with 14 weight classes.

The weight classes are 100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 155, 170, 190 and 235 pounds.

Swihart began wrestling in elementary school at the urging of the boys on her football team.

“I played football in elementary school and all the guys wanted me to wrestle,” Swihart said. “I have learned to love the sport.”

Swihart has wrestled mostly guys ever since then. She had to “adjust” to wrestling other girls over the years.

“Girls wrestle like an all-out street brawl … they just go for it,” Swihart said. “The guys are technical and use their strength. It is a completely different style that you have to get used to. 

“I have always wrestled guys, so it is a huge adjustment.”

But Swihart has held her own against the guys and girls. Heading into action on Saturday, she was 10-4 overall with six wins over guys … much to the chagrin of her opponents.

“Sometimes they storm off, throw head gear, or cry,” Swihart said of beating male wrestlers. “They never look me in the face when I beat them. 

“The other team’s bleachers go crazy.”

Swihart said she has worked hard for the 2021-2022 season. She quit playing volleyball but picked up playing golf in order to stay active.

It also gave her a chance to work out for the wrestling season.

The funny thing about playing golf was Danni and her sister Drew were pretty good at golf despite never having played the game.

Hanover-Horton qualified for the MHSAA Division 4 state golf finals.

“Golf was definitely an experience,” Swihart said. “I struggled with the mental side of golf.” 

The physical aspect of wrestling does not always work on the golf course, Swihart found out. 

Wrestling is something you can take out your anger on the mat,” Swihart said. “You can’t always just swing harder and be successful on the golf course.”

Swihart had a chance to work out twice a week on endurance exercises during the golf season. She spent most of the summer doing wrestling workouts. 

“Sports gives me a chance to keep my mental game high,” Swihart said.  “In sports you can find yourself wanting to do more and succeed. You do the same thing in school, but it is in a different arena.”

The junior has a 4.0 grade point average in school and wants to study to become a veterinarian.