by Mark Craddock
WALSENBURG — In 2020, the Colorado High School Activities Association officially sanctioned girls’ wrestling, to run alongside the boys’ season in the winter.
The following year, two John Mall High students, made the daily trek to Alamosa to compete, because John Mall did not have a team.
During the 2022-2023 season, the local high school fielded its first-ever girls squad, and was poised to host its first home girls tournament. But a water main break forced the tourney to be held in Hoehne instead.
That year, Ivey McAlhany from Rye High School made the trek south to compete with the new Lady Panthers team, and earned a state tourney berth.
Come tomorrow, Feb. 2, the newly minted Walsenburg High will host its first-ever girls wrestling tournament in the new Walsenburg Jr./Sr. High gymnaseum.
The Lady Panther wrestlers — and girls wrestling general — have come a long way in a short time.
Some 21 teams, from Alamosa to Gunnison, from Antonito to Palmer Ridge, and, of course, the home school, will descend on Walsenburg for the event, a prelude to regional and state tourney action to take place later in the month.
Competition will be fierce and chance for late-seasosn advancement plentiful as the Walsenburg tournament has attracted three state-ranked programs: Bennett (ranked #12), Lamar (ranked #15) and Pueblo Central (ranked #16).
