Michaela Hutchinson is the first girl in the U.S. to win a state title against boys
Full story by Van Williams at Anchorage Daily News
Photos by Bob Hallinen, Anchorage Daily News
excerpt:
Armed with cameras and video camcorders, nearly 2,000 people packed Chugiak High on Saturday night to watch Skyview's Michaela Hutchison make history. Flash bulbs popped when Hutchison took the mat in the 103-pound final of Alaska's big school wrestling championships. When the wrestlers were introduced, Hutchison received a roaring applause. But the best was yet to come. Led by chants of "C'mon Michaela" and "Girl Power," Hutchison blew the roof off the place when she earned a thrilling 1-0 victory over Colony's Aaron Boss to become the first girl wrestler in the nation to win a state title against boys. Hutchison, a sophomore who entered the state tournament ranked No. 1 in her weight class, completed her historic run by scoring an escape with 16 seconds left in the match to beat Boss for the second time in as many weeks.
Significance
Kent Bailo, director of the U.S. Girls Wresting Association, believes Hutchison's victory will help girls wrestling become a varsity sport. He estimates 4,000 to 5,000 girls wrestle in high schools nationwide. Yet, only Hawaii and Texas currently offer it as a girls sport. But Alaska might be next.
Record
No. 1-ranked at 103# all season. Hutchison finished the season with a 45-4 record that included 33 pins, one shy of the state single-season record. She's one of 10 children and the third in her family to win a state title, joining brothers Zeb and Eli.
Anchorage Daily News
No comments:
Post a Comment