Her Story
About Sabreena
Sabreena Shelton serves as head coach of a co-ed wrestling team for boys and girls. She began wrestling in middle school in 2006, competed on the boys' varsity team in high school, and earned a college scholarship before attending Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri, where she earned a degree in education. After starting her coaching career with an all-girls team in San Luis Obispo County for four years, Shelton returned to the Bay Area and took over her current co-ed program. In addition to coaching, she has worked as a paraeducator in special education for two and a half years and as a middle school PE teacher for four years. Shelton has volunteered with Project Surf Camp assisting special needs individuals and with Envision Shelter Network providing playtime for children at a homeless shelter. She attributes her success to opportunities to lead programs, observed growth in her teams, and her desire to involve her son while making a broader impact. Her core values include being true to oneself, perseverance, confidence in a competitive field, and prioritizing ethics so that wrestlers develop into good functional people in society rather than focusing solely on wins.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Sabreena
01What do you attribute your success to?
Different things motivate me. Getting different opportunities presented like taking over this program. The growth I've seen establishing something and watching it grow. My son is a big motivator. I want to get him involved and show him it's fun. There's always room to go higher and make a bigger impact.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Believe in yourself and do what you want to. My biggest hurdle is often myself. I regret not double majoring in philosophy because I doubted my ability. I also loved cooking but didn't pursue it as a career because I put careers in small boxes and didn't realize I could be a chef.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Keep your head up and prioritize the kids. People may try to put you down especially as a female in a male-dominated field. Know you are where you are because of your talent and skill. Don't undermine yourself. Focus on the kids and what they need, not always about winning.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Biggest challenges can be staying confident when kids aren't as passionate. Some coaches value winning and look down on you if not winning. With the baby, long days and early mornings for tournaments are grueling. Tournaments can go until 11pm and start early next day.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Being true to yourself and perseverance are very important. Having confidence in a competitive area. Ethics is something I really care about. I care about how my wrestlers operate more than winning. I want them to become good functional people in society.
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