Emily Frost, who began wrestling at Tamarac in seventh grade, has heard many stereotypes over the years, saying wrestling is ‘for boys.’

While she competed mostly against male opponents during the school season, she’s always maintained the same mentality on those negative voices — none of it mattered. One voice, who Frost — one of 10 Capital District Sports Women of the Year scholastic honorees for 2023 — could always rely on for support, was that of Kevin Retell, a coach at Tamarac and father of teammate Ragan Retell.

“When I first started, my first day on the team, my main supporter was coach Retell,” Frost said. “He always told me I could do anything and could be as good as those boys. They learned that whatever they said, it didn’t mean anything. I could accomplish whatever I wanted to.”

The recent Tamarac graduate will head to the University of Iowa next fall.

“Her hard work, determination and perseverance have earned her a full Division 1 women’s wrestling scholarship,” Tamarac athletic director Thomas Murley wrote in a recommendation letter nominating Frost as a CDSWOY honoree. “[Emily’s] the first female wrestler from New York ever to do so.”

“It just means a lot to me,” Frost said of being a CDSWOY recipient, “that the things I’m doing are being recognized in such a prestigious way.”

The journey to that scholarship provided some experiences Frost wouldn’t trade for anything. Shortly after joining the team at Tamarac, Frost was introduced to Curby Training Center, a wrestling club in Troy. It’s a good bet that if Frost isn’t at home or at school, she’s probably at Curby.

Curby has not only provided Frost an environment where she’s surrounded by many other female wrestlers – including fellow 2023 CDSWOY honoree Zoey Lints – but also the opportunity to grow as a leader. Frost’s passion has grown from competing herself to wanting help create a path for other girls, like her.

“When I started, there really weren’t that many girls in the area who wrestled,” said Frost, who helps lead Curby’s youth program. “Especially in the last year, a lot of younger girls have started. When parents come up to me and say their daughter started wrestling because they saw me doing it, that’s honestly crazy to me. I just hope they can get out of wrestling what I’ve been able to get out of it.”

Curby’s owner, Joe Uccellini, has said he’s envisioned Frost taking over his club one day.

“I’ve always wanted to have my own club,” Frost said. “I can’t see myself having another club that isn’t Curby.”
During her senior season, Frost passed up the opportunity to compete at the first-ever NYSPHSAA girls’ wrestling championships, instead staying with the boys’ team at the Ken Baker Classic.

“It was extremely hard for me because since I started wrestling I’ve dreamed of competing at either girls’ states or just states in general,” Frost said. “Honestly, it was more important to me to help my team, wherever they needed me.”

Frost developed a few reputations over her four-year varsity career, including being nearly impossible to pin — something that hasn’t happened since her freshman year. She is the first one cheering on her teammates, including modified and junior varsity wrestlers. She’s even someone teammates turn to for help with homework.

Frost concluded her high school career at the Section 2 Division 2 state qualifiers, after finishing fourth in the Class C tournament. She went 26-6 against boys, with 18 pins. Those around her see no limit to what she can accomplish.

“Emily’s work ethic and relentless pursuit of her goals are unmatched,” wrote Tamarac wrestling coach Erick Roadcap. “Emily has set her sights on becoming an Olympic champion, and her commitment to this goal is unwavering.”

Rachael Frazier first learned about the Capital District Sports Women of the Year organization last year when her cousin, Rebecca Hall, was selected as a nominee.

She never imagined that a year later, she’d be granted the same honor as well.

“It kind of took me by surprise,” Frazier said of being nominated and selected. “I was like, ‘me, of all people.’ It was really cool, just to be shown that all my hard work has paid off.”

Frazier, who played three years of varsity basketball and soccer, along with two years of varsity track and field, is a recent graduate of Maple Hill High School.

“What truly sets Rachael apart is her natural ability to lead by example,” Maple Hill girls’ soccer and track coach Sheila Golden wrote in her recommendation letter for Frazier.

“She upholds the values of fair play, respect and teamwork, consistently setting a positive example for her teammates and peers,” Golden continued. “Her ability to motivate and inspire those around her has been a significant factor in the team’s success and cohesiveness.”

“I have the same soccer and track coach,” Frazier said of Golden, “and she’s really pushed me to be better. She really brought me out of my shell.”

Frazier will attend SUNY Adirondack next fall, where she will major in childhood education and continue to play soccer.

Her choice of childhood education stems from experience working at summer camps and volunteering.
“I’ve been able to work at summer camps and the kids are just a lot of fun to be around,” Frazier said. “I’ve alway loved working with kids.”

On top of a GPA over 95%, Frazier volunteers for Quilts for Kids, which she’s done since she was six years old. She has also volunteered with the Maple Hill Booster Club, helping out with the concession stands and with events since she entered sixth grade.”

“Rachael displayed exceptional leadership and positivity throughout both basketball seasons she was with me,” Maple Hills girls’ basketball coach Michael Oliver wrote in his recommendation letter for Frazier. “As a team captain, Rachael took on the role of communicating important information, allowing her teammates ranging from grades 7-12 to receive the best experience.”

Frazier, who has won numerous athletic awards as well, attributed her competitiveness to growing up with a twin brother, Colby, who will play baseball in college.

“As a three-sport athlete, Rachael has consistently gone above and beyond in her efforts, both in practice and during competitive events,” Golden wrote. “She is always the first to arrive and the last to leave, and her determination to improve and excel is truly inspiring.”

She also gave a lot of credit to her mom.

“My mom has been my top inspiration in life,” Frazier said. “She has always been my biggest supporter and fan through sports and school. I wouldn’t be who I am today without her.”

“When they explained it,” Frazier said of the CDSWOY honor, “they said that there’s 99 schools that can nominate and only 10 girls get picked. Especially being from a small school, I didn’t even know that many people knew who I was. To get picked for this, it’s amazing.”

When you find something you love doing, it’s easy to want to share that with others.

Not only did Isabella Franchi’s love of basketball lead to her commitment to play at Saint Michael’s College next season, but to her involvement with Unified Basketball, as well as a youth basketball coach.

“I had no idea I was being considered for this,” Franchi, a recent graduate of Colonie High School, said of being named one of this year’s Capital District Sports Women of the Year scholastic honorees. “I was called into the office and on a Zoom were my parents, which was a little scary, and the founder [Eric McDowell]. He told me a little about it and that I was nominated for it.

“Hearing all the support and all the work that went into entering me for this, it just means so much,” added Franchi, who also played varsity soccer.

“During her career at Colonie, Isabella proved time and again to be one of the hardest workers on the basketball team,” Colonie girls’ basketball coach Heather DiBiase wrote in her recommendation letter. “Her relentless work ethic and determination are two of the reasons why her teammates and coaches selected her to represent them as captain her senior year.”

While Franchi’s success on the court, and her involvement in the basketball community when she wasn’t playing herself, is what stood out, she never expected to be given an award for it.

“I coach for the same basketball program that I played in, when I fell in love with the game,” she said. “Those were some of the best basketball moments I’ve ever had. Being able to be a part of that, seeing the kids have fun, learn those life lessons and be there for them, it’s great to be able to help show them the way.”

Being part of the Unified Basketball program offered a similar experience for Franchi.

“One of the years I did it, during COVID, just seeing how happy the kids were with what we could give them — which wasn’t much — it was amazing,” Franchi said. “Over the years, seeing the kids keep that same energy, knowing you’re giving them as much as you can, it’s a great feeling.”

Giving back as a youth coach paid off for Franchi, as she gained some additional supporters at Colonie’s varsity games.

“As you get older, sometimes people forget the fun part of it,” Franchi said. “Getting to joke around with the kids, seeing them come to my games and cheer me on, it’s just a really fun program to be a part of.”

Franchi’s athletic success and community involvement, while still maintaining a high academic standing left DiBiase in awe.

“She was a coach for the Capital District Girls Basketball League for four years,” DiBiase wrote of Franchi. “She organized a student/staff charity basketball game at Colonie High School. She is an ICare member and Treasurer and a member of the Youth Advisory Board. Her amazing ability to balance her schoolwork and extracurricular activities is outstanding.”

“She is the epitome of what any coach would want their players to be,” added girls’ soccer coach Ryan Edson. “Not only has she been a source of inspiration for her teammates, but also the coaches in the program as well.”

At the end of the day, the one goal has always remained the same – just to be able to continue playing.

“Ever since I was little,” Franchi said, “I’ve loved playing basketball and eventually I realized what the main goal was, which is to just keep playing.”