OLYMPIA, Wash. – Three members of The Evergreen State College women's wrestling team have been working with state firefighters to battle wildfires in the State of Washington. Evergreen's firefighters are Viktoriya Dovhoruka (Sr.), Mariah Paz (Jr.), and Ellabelle Taylor (Sr.).

Dovhoruka has been working at the Colville reservation. Paz and Taylor have been contributing to efforts in the Spokane area.

Wildfires throughout Washington have impacted local communities, destroyed forested areas, and sent smoke across the state. The wildfires have also forced many people to evacuate where they live. The efforts of Dovhoruka, Paz, and Taylor have helped limit the damages. More than 425,000 acres have already been burned in Washington this year.

"Wrestling is much more than a sport -- it is a tool for building character, resilience, and leadership," said Evergreen Head Women's Wrestling Coach Fan Zhang. "The three student-athletes on our team who are firefighters demonstrate exactly what wrestling teaches: the ability to stay calm under pressure, make tough decisions, and never quit when others are depending on you. Those same qualities that help them succeed on the wrestling mat also help them serve and protect our state.

"At The Evergreen State College, we are committed to developing the whole person, not just the athlete," Zhang noted. "Our program emphasizes academic success, personal growth, community service, and leadership alongside athletic excellence. I am proud to see my wrestlers carry those values into careers and service roles where they continue making a positive impact.

"Women's wrestling, in particular, empowers young women to discover strength they never knew they had. It teaches confidence, discipline, mental toughness, and the courage to face challenges head-on," Zhang added. "Wrestling doesn't just create better athletes—it helps develop stronger, more resilient people who are prepared to lead, serve, and make a difference wherever life takes them. Seeing these three wrestlers serve as firefighters is a powerful example of what can happen when a college invests in building strong athletes, strong leaders, and even stronger members of the community."