Two years ago when the IHSAA opened up girls wrestling as an ’emerging sport’, everyone in the wrestling community knew it was just a matter of time before the sport became official and it would operate in a similar manner as the boys.

Fast forward into the second year, and Wawasee girls wrestling made history by competing in its first girls only match Wednesday night at John Glenn. It wasn’t the first girls dual for the Falcons, having already hosted South Bend Riley earlier this fall, but just the same for the Lady Warriors in breaking ground to create its own milestone.

Getting to the action itself, not only did Wawasee compete in its first girls dual, but the Lady Warriors went ahead and treated it Strictly Business. Tied at 30, Wawasee scored pins in its final three matches to close out an historic 48-30 result to record its first-ever girls team win.

“It’s pretty cool to be part of this,” noted Wawasee head coach Miguel Rodriguez. “I’m happy to see the girls get this. They work really hard every day, and to have this win goes to them. They’ve earned this.”

Opening pins from Alex Garcia and Tiana Senders got Wawasee going, Garcia working off bottom in the second to get a reversal and the six while Senders maintained her balance for a first rounder. After two forfeits for Glenn and a pin from Boit Whitmor over Karlee Clevenger, the Falcons reclaimed the lead. An exchange of sixes on forfeits for both sides kept Glenn in front, but that changed when Ciara Rodriguez found an opening on Ryles Luskadon to get the roll over and the cover.

Another exchange of sixes left the score tied at 30, setting up history as Kenidi Nine broke out of a scoreless first period to get back to basics in a pin at 15 seconds of the second over Nora Gussella. Sisters Cyanna and Naviya Leon were nearly identical in recording their wins, Cyanna reversing out of a Autumn Napper takedown to get a pin at 1:43, then Naviya staying aggressive against Carlie Martin to get a pin at 1:44.

“I really enjoyed this because the girls listened,” noted Rodriguez, highlighting a couple of the bouts where quick adjustments on Wawasee’s parts resulted in quicker pins. “They stuck to the basics. That’s what wins matches. Not trying to do fancy things to look good on video. It’s like coach Sal says, ‘Strictly Business’, just do what you need to do and get it done.”

The dual sets the tone for bigger fish to fry as the state tournament begins in earnest next weekend. The IHSGW Regional will take place next Saturday, Dec. 30, in Mishawaka High School’s rec gym, opposite of the Al Smith finals in The Cave. With a roster full of confident young women with both dual and invite success now in hand, Rodriguez feels the time is now to take the next step.

“I don’t see why all of our girls can’t advance from regionals,” offered Rodriguez. “All of the work and effort they have put in, the time, the dedication. This group is motivated. They have the ability to make semi-state.”

Wawasee at John Glenn

155 – Alex Garcia (W) pin McKinley Platz 3:40  6-0
170 – Tiana Senders (W) pin Pacisnee Shock 1:40  12-0
190 – Alana Delgado (JG) forfeit  12-6
235 – Maggie Nowak (JG) forfeit  12-12
100 – Boit Whitmor (JG) pin Karlee Clevenger 3:45  12-18
105 – Isabel Schwartz (W) forfeit  18-18
110 – Double Forfeit
115 – Chloe Beewart (JG) forfeit  18-24
120 – Ciara Rodriguez (W) pin Ryles Luskadon 1:53  24-24
125 – Sylvia Dixon (W) forfeit  30-24
130 – Clare Schmalzrised (JG) pin Peyton Hohman 1:04  30-30
135 – Kenidi Nine (W) pin Nora Gussella 2:15  36-30
140 – Cyanna Leon (W) pin Autumn Napper 1:43  42-30
145 – Naviya Leon (W) pin Carlie Martin 1:44  48-30

JV Matches

145 – Dez Vetor (W) pin Kam Pondl 2:45
155 – Kenzie Shoemaker (JG) pin Rylin Vanlaningham 1:39