Esther Bowman is set to apply what she learned at Gilmer High when she wrestles at Andrew College.
Bowman is a 2025 GHS graduate and also considered Brewton-Parker College and Lindsey Wilson University in Kentucky. She will be a member of Andrew’s inaugural womens wrestling team, which was an intriguing prospect.
“I thought about it for a really long time, and I really wasn’t sure,” Bowman said about wrestling in college. “I talked to the coach (Tristan Bundy) back in January, and he really wanted me to join. It was really intriguing to me because it’s the first girls wrestling team they’re going to have. I thought it was a really cool opportunity.
“One of the main reasons I wanted to do this was because he talked about it being a unique opportunity compared to overseas. It’s growing a lot right now, and only in America can you play sports (collegiately) past high school. I really wanted to keep doing it because my senior year didn’t end the way I wanted it to. I’m not done yet.”
Location played a factor as well. Cuthbert’s population is just 3,520 and Andrew’s enrollment is around 500. Bowman noted that the town is dotted with a few restaurants and not much else.
“The way I see it, that’s everything I need,” she said. “I don’t mind that it’s a small town and small school. I’ll have everything I need right there and no distractions.”
Bowman is leaning toward studying biology but is undecided. If she goes that route, working as a veterinarian is something she might explore.
“It interests me because I want to help animals, and it’s something that’s always interested me,” said Bowman. “I live on a farm, so I’m used to being around animals and taking care of them.”
Bowman’s first sport was swimming, which she competed in since the rec league. However, she only started wrestling as a junior after some encouragement from a friend who wrestles at Lindsey Wilson.
“Both swimming and wrestling are both full-body sports,” Bowman said. “I went to wrestling practice and found out I really liked it. She was a really good friend to me and I respected her a lot and really made me want to do it.”
Bowman made an impact at state duals her senior season where she posted a 3-1 record. Gilmer defeated Chestatee twice and Oglethorpe County to claim third place. By the end of the school year, it stood as the highest placement by any program at GHS.
“It was awesome to see our work pay off and mostly everyone doing really well that day. It was really rewarding and makes you feel like all that work paid off,” Bowman said.
At the traditional area tournament, Bowman placed third at 120 pounds. However, her season came to an end at the sectional tournament ahead of state. She ended her season with a 24-13 record.
“That’s when I decided I wanted to keep doing this,” Bowman said of how the impact of the season ended influenced her decision to continue wrestling beyond high school.
“The harder you work, the more you get it out of wrestling,” Bowman said. “It has definitely changed me as a person. It has made me take care of myself better and have a better mindset. It’s about being a better person.”
Bowman thanked dad David Bowman, friends Taylor Schiesser Sarai Solis and GHS head coach Stacy Galloway for helping her reach this stage of her wrestling career and encouraging her to continue in college.
Bundy has Bowman slotted to wrestle at 117 pounds. She noted that he plans on bringing in two to three wrestlers per weight class.
“I’m looking forward to making new friends, becoming a better wrestler and learning from my teammates. Bowman said. “From what I’ve seen of how’s coming in, they’re going to be really great teammates and people in general. I’m looking forward to being on my own even though I’m going to miss my family a lot.”
Andrew competes in Division I of the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association and Region XVII of the National Junior College Athletic Association.