By Shane Ball
Being the only girl on an all-boys wrestling team may sound intimidating to some, but to Alvirne Broncos wrestler Jillian Boncore, it’s just another day on the mats.
Back in sixth grade, Boncore first asked her mom, Brenda Boncore, if she could join the wrestling team. Brenda, though unsure if they would even let her daughter wrestle at first, has given her daughter her full support since day one. One of the biggest factors and hopes for the two of them was for her not to be seen or treated any differently by her coaches and peers.
There has only ever been a handful of girls on the teams along the way, but that never discouraged her as she continues to push herself all these years later. The boys on the team don’t treat her any different. They give it their all, and so does she.
“Being the only girl on the team can be challenging,” said Boncore, “but it also offers a unique opportunity to stand out.”
Boncore would finish her junior year season with a record of 13-6 against other female competitors, though it should be made clear that she has competed in a fair amount of co-ed tournaments along the way as well. She would then go on to win the Girls’ All-States in New Hampshire, an achievement she has had her eyes on for quite some time. This was an especially sweet victory after placing second in the All-States just a year prior. Winning that state championship made it feel like all of her hard work had finally paid off.
“It’s a moment of pure joy and pride, proving that dedication truly does lead to success,” said Boncore.
After the All-States, Boncore and her teammates Senior Captain Shawn Boudreau and Senior Captain Shayne Mackey would head down to Rhode Island to compete in the New England Wrestling Championships. There were six matches for Boncore over the span of two days.
On Saturday, March 8, Boncore would win her first match, She would then go on to face off in a grueling battle that lasted over 13 minutes and three overtimes before heading to sudden death. Though she fell short in the second match, she bounced back and won her third match, which was good enough to bring her back the next day for more. On Sunday, March 9, Boncore would win her first match. This got her a placement on the podium. She would ultimately lose the following two matches. But through wins or losses, there is always something to gain.
“We call them wins or learns,” said Brenda, “not losses.” A defeat is seen as nothing more than an opportunity for growth.
Boncore ultimately placed sixth at the New England Wrestling Championships in Rhode Island. She came out as the only female from Alvirne to ever place in this tournament and the first Bronco since 2021.
“Jillian has been an absolute joy to coach over the last three years,” said Head Coach Conor Gannon. “Her consistent hard work has led to all of her success, and I’m looking forward to see how she performs next year.”
Boncore’s journey is bigger than tournaments. It’s about breaking stereotypes and proving that passion and talent know no gender. She does face her fair share of obstacles along the way, but she gains resilience and an opportunity to grow women’s wrestling and pave the way for future generations of female athletes here in Hudson.