For Kelly Ladd, wrestling isn’t just a sport—it’s a family legacy, a personal proving ground, and a source of lifelong lessons. Growing up in Macomb, she spent her childhood in the wrestling room, watching her father coach the high school team and her older brother compete. But for Kelly, stepping onto the mat herself wasn’t always an option.

Before she reached high school, girls’ wrestling wasn’t a sanctioned sport in Illinois. And her father, a respected but traditionally-minded coach, wasn’t entirely convinced that wrestling was the right path for his daughter. "He was a little hesitant," Kelly admits. "But by my freshman year, I told him, ‘I’m doing it—whether you like it or not.’”

Four years later, Kelly isn’t just competing—she’s dominating. In January, she earned her 100th career victory, an accomplishment that solidified her place in Macomb wrestling history.

Kelly’s journey into wrestling didn’t follow the usual path. Macomb has a strong youth wrestling program, known as Bitty Bombers, that introduces kids as young as five to the sport. But Kelly didn’t start there. "Wrestling is a sport where you can burn out quickly," she explains. "And at the time, there weren’t opportunities for girls, so my dad held me back until I reached high school."

Once she got her chance, she made the most of it. By her senior year, she had amassed over 100 wins and only around 20 losses—a record that speaks to her skill, tenacity, and mental toughness.

"Wrestling is an incredibly mental sport," she says. "Yes, it’s physically exhausting, but you have to push through so many barriers—self-doubt, fatigue, pressure—and still find a way to come out on top."

It’s also a sport that defies simple categorization. While wrestling is an individual competition, it’s also deeply team-oriented. And for Kelly, it’s something even more: a family sport. "You need a support system in wrestling," she says. "It’s emotional. It’s demanding. And whether that support comes from your team, your coaches, or your family, it makes all the difference."

Her father, Luke Ladd, remains a key figure in her journey—not just as a coach, but as a mentor who has come to embrace his daughter’s success on the mat. And her older brother, who now serves as an assistant coach, is equally proud of her achievements.

Kelly’s accomplishments in wrestling have earned her a college scholarship to Augustana College, where she’ll continue competing at the next level. But she’s also thinking beyond the mat. "I want to study occupational therapy," she says. "I’ve always been drawn to helping people recover and regain strength after injury. My mom worked in cardiac rehab, and I think that’s what inspired me."

She sees a clear connection between her future profession and her experience as an athlete. "There’s an athletic component to recovery, just like there is in wrestling," she explains. "You have to push through discomfort, build resilience, and keep going even when it’s tough."

As she prepares to graduate, Kelly reflects on the changing landscape of girls’ wrestling. She was part of the first-ever sanctioned girls’ state tournament in Illinois—an experience that reinforced the significance of her journey. "There were so many of us who had waited for this moment," she recalls. "We weren’t just wrestling for ourselves—we were paving the way for the next generation of girls who want to step onto the mat."

And that’s something she hopes will continue at Macomb High School. "Wrestling gave me confidence," she says. "It showed me that I can handle tough challenges, push through struggles, and come out stronger. I want other girls to have that same opportunity."

Her friends certainly see her as a force to be reckoned with. "They like to joke that I’m their bodyguard," she laughs. "If a guy messes with them, they say, ‘Watch out—my friend’s a wrestler!’" But beyond the laughs, Kelly knows her impact is real. Whether on the wrestling mat, in the classroom, or through her future work in occupational therapy, she’s proving that strength—both mental and physical—can take you anywhere.

And that’s a lesson that will last far beyond her final match in Bomber orange and black.