Bartlesville’s Shaylee Silver

By Bryce McKinnis

As the emergence of high school girls wrestling has provided a new opportunity to hundreds of youth athletes across Oklahoma, wrestlers like Bartlesville High School senior Shaylee Silver have carved a path of success on the new frontier.

“Wrestling is the only sport I compete in, and I started when I was 15 during my sophomore year,” Silver said. “At that time, coach Josh Pulsifer motivated me to join the team and encouraged me to stick with it. Looking back, I’m grateful he did, because wrestling has become a huge part of who I am today.”

Last year, Silver became the first female wrestler in BHS history to qualify for state after an unforgettable regional performance.

“I’ll never forget the emotions I felt during my final match at regionals, knowing it would decide whether I advanced to state or not,” Silver said, “but with accomplishment comes defeat.”

Days after qualifying, Silver found out she would not be eligible to compete at state. Though she was usually a dedicated student, Silver had let her academics slip while chasing success on the mat.

“Learning I couldn’t compete was almost as emotional as finding out I had qualified,” Silver said. “I responded with a lot of tears, but I took away an important lesson; I realized the importance of communicating more with my coaches and teachers, keeping track of where I stand in my classes and working harder to stay on top of everything.”

Last year’s setback has become a source of motivation for Silver. Where she could’ve grown bitter, she accepted responsibility and reacted accordingly. She has restored her status as an exemplary student and maintained her status as an exemplary athlete. She credits her family for always being in her corner — her Mimi, Nana, grandpa and Lolo, and especially her parents.

“Right after finding out I wasn’t going to be able to compete at state, my mom was the first person there for me, just as upset as I was but still encouraging me and helping me through it,” Silver said, “and my dad, he’s one of my biggest motivators, always proud of me, always pushing me toward my goals and always showing how much he cares.”

The trailblazer of Bartlesville girls wrestling enters the 2026 season as a serious contender to take home gold. But most importantly, she wants to leave a lasting legacy that reverberates throughout the program for years to come.

“This year, I want to continue growing the girls’ wrestling team and push every single one of them to do their best. I want to be the best in the room, and that means putting in the extra time and effort it takes to get there,” Silver said. “My goals for this season are to stay eligible all year, qualify for state and represent my team with pride.”

After high school, Silver aspires to wrestle at the collegiate level, preferably close to home, while pursuing a business degree.