Wawasee entered its first girls wrestling team into competition Saturday at the East Noble Invite. (Photos courtesy Jamie Salazar)

It was a historical day for the Wawasee wrestling program, sending its first-ever girls team to competition. Saturday’s East Noble Invite had five Lady Warriors competing in what the IHSAA is terming an ‘emerging sport’ as a soon-to-be independent, fully-vested entity.

Wawasee’s team posted 56 total points to place 13th overall, well short of Jay County’s championship 163 points, which edged East Noble’s 163 on criteria.

On the day for Syracuse’s finest, Ciara Rodriguez had the best individual finish, taking second place in the 120 class. Rodriguez claimed honors in her first four matches, three by way of pinfall and the fourth by forfeit to reach the final. Lakeland’s Kylee Waldron cracked the code on Rodriguez in the second period, working an early takedown to a pin.

Alex Garcia would take third in the 160 bracket, avenging an early loss with a pair of pins. Deserae Vetor and Kenidi Nine were both fourth in the 132 and 143 brackets, respectively, and Brooke Catron was fifth at 139.

In all, Wawasee scored 10 pins between its five wrestlers at East Noble.

“Very proud of all these young ladies. Not only did they wrestle tough on the mat, but more importantly, off the mat with their emotions,” stated Wawasee coach Miguel Rodriguez. “At the beginning there was a lot of “I can’t” and discouragement, but at the end of the day it was “I can and I will” mentality. The Lady Warriors are excited about getting back in the wrestling room to learn and improve for our next tournament this coming weekend.”