By Johnny Sanders, Sports Editor
PINSON – At a school that is known for its football (state champions in 2017, 2018 and 2020 along with yearly playoff appearances) and basketball (currently ranked #1 in the state in 6A and 38th nationally), you might not think of Pinson Valley High School as a wrestling school. At the state wrestling championship last Friday, Pinson may have very well shown that they are indeed a wrestling school. A girls wrestling school at that, thanks to Aniyah Griffin and her teammates.
Pinson wrestler Aniyah Griffin prays before her match. (Photo by Myrna Cintron)
Aniyah capped off an amazing 35-0 season in her weight class, earning Most Valuable Wrestler for 3 weeks in a row during one point of the season. She also won first place in the Matt Tice Invitational at Lees High School as well as several first place medals over the course of the year, the biggest being her second state title on Friday. Griffin had won the first-ever girls state title in 2021 when she was in the 225-weight class. Last year, she moved up to 235 and finished second.
“It has truly been an honor to coach Aniyah. She is a great student and an amazing athlete. Most of all she is a true example of what a leader should be,” said Pinson Girls Wrestling Coach Myrna Cintron. “Aniyah is team captain and has been a true example of what determination should be. She strives to make herself and the team better every day. She motivates her teammates to work hard and lead by example. She has been wrestling for 3 years and I have been her coach for 2 of those, along with Danny Davidson.”
In her first two years, Aniyah wrestled mostly boys, which fueled her desire to compete. “This made her stronger and even more determined to prove to herself that she can wrestle anyone,” said Coach Cintron. “Many times, I have walked into a wrestling event and boys would be intimidated to wrestle her. Some would even back out because they didn’t want to be embarrassed if they lost to a girl. This season has without a doubt been the most amazing one of all. Having all girls on the team with their own events allowed Aniyah to truly shine, showing all the hard work she put into getting ready for this season.”
As one could imagine, Alexis Griffin, Aniyah’s mother, is very proud of her daughter. “When I think of Aniyah, I think of a young person who is full of wisdom, kindness and courage,” said Ms. Griffin. “As a young child, she was always eager to try new things and was never afraid of the outcome. Aniyah says that wrestling is more than a sport to her. It has taught her many lessons that she will need along the way. It has taught her to be mentally tough, disciplined, and that girls can do this sport as well. She is an honor student who puts the books before any sport.”
“There are no words that can express the joy that Aniyah brings to me,” Alexis continued. “I am proud to be her number one supporter and I look forward to witnessing the greatness that is to come. I have always told Aniyah to remember who you are and WHOSE YOU ARE!”
Faith is a big part of Aniyah’s life. She can often be seen praying before her matches and she wears a robe to the mat with the following prayer on the back. “Dear Lord, the battles I go through in life I ask for a chance that’s fair, a chance to equal my stride. A chance to or dare if I should win, live by the code. Faith and Honor held me high if I should lose, stand by the road and cheer as the winners go by. Amen.”
“Wrestling is the best decision I have made for myself,” said Aniyah. “It has taught me that there is no one else to blame for your mistakes so it forces you to take responsibility and gain courage to get on the mat and perform. In my 3 years of wrestling I have learned a lot and made unbreakable bonds that will last a lifetime. I have met some amazing people and have gotten to experience some great opportunities because of wrestling.”
Like other female wrestlers, Aniyah is looking to change the narrative that this is a man’s sport. “For a long time, wrestling has been a man’s sport but myself and a lot of other females are working to change that persepective. I want other young females to know that you don’t have to put yourself in a box just because of what society says. Therefore, wrestling is not only a sport. It’s a way of life.”
As a team, Pinson finished tenth out of 61 teams in the state, which has Coach Cintron excited for the future of Lady Indians Wrestling. “Aniyah has set the path for girls wrestling at Pinson High School.”
