The California Interscholastic Federation, the state’s governing
body for all high school athletics, announced last month the
implementation of a Girls Wrestling State Invitational beginning
next season, according to a statement from the state office
MORGAN HILL — The California Interscholastic Federation, the state’s governing body for all high school athletics, announced last month the implementation of a Girls Wrestling State Invitational beginning next season, according to a statement from the state office.
Coming on the heels of a series of successful regional tournaments held last January in which 704 female athletes from 173 schools participated statewide, the first girls wrestling state invitational will be held Feb. 25-26 at Lemoore High School.
“The CIF has been building up to this event the last couple of years,” CIF State Executive Director Marie M. Ishida said. “As the popularity and number of female wrestlers continues to increase, the CIF is committed to the philosophy, ‘If you build it, they will come.’ The CIF is pleased to offer this new event and we are hopeful it will grow into an event that will mirror the boys’ championships.”
The State Invitational is the first event of the CIF’s Regional and State Championship master plan to balance the number of postseason athletic experiences for boys and girls.
Currently, the CIF offers state championships in 10 sports, with regional championships offered in five others.
Only the top four qualifiers from each weight division will advance from the CCS Championships to the Girls Wrestling State Invitational.
Last season, Live Oak sophomore Amy Fearnside and Sobrato junior Keri Hanamoto performed well in the CCS Girls Wrestling Invitational Tournament at Independence High School. Fearnside took second at 103 pounds and Hanamoto finished two matches shy of placing at 118.
