WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Pennsylvania has always been a wrestling powerhouse, producing some of the most elite talent in the country at the high school level, but this year the ladies get the spotlight as the District II Championships kicked off.
This year for the first time ever, girls have the chance to go for the gold all on their own without having to wrestle against the boys.
The first rounds of District II Championships began Friday night and marked the first championship season with the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association sanctioning girls wrestling as a sport.
This is where the playing field gets leveled.
Over a hundred girl wrestlers took the stage to compete against each other on Friday for the PIAA District II Championships for the first time since girl's wrestling became its own sport just a few months ago.
"We're not in their shadow anymore. It feels like its our own seperate thing and it feels empowering," says Alahna Morris from Lake-Lehman weight class 150.
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Morris has been wrestling for seven years and has had to compete against boys for most of her career.
Now that she's wrestling females her mom feels the fight on the mat is truly a fair competition.
"Being shown differently the girls can actually show against each other and the best of the best is going to come out of this," said Heather Gensel Alahna's mom
But one-star wildcat wrestler and two-time state medalist ranked 13th in Pennsylvania isn't afraid to admit the male competition has played a large role in her success.
"Beating up boys as a girl is a huge one-up. I'm really glad to have started wrestling girls but I'm glad I have the boy's background behind it," added Lexi Desiato from Western Wayne ranked 13th in that state.
"There are definitely some tough girls out there, high competitive. And I think they deserve it and it's just a growing sport," states Brice Woodruff from Blue Ridge weight class 107.
This forward movement in the sport of female wrestling, they feel, will help with career opportunities.
"The goal for this year is just to make it out first place out of districts and then go to regionals and then get to states," said Mia Gifford from West-Wayne ranked fifth in the state.
"With the girls, I feel so powerful because other women also trying their hardest. I want to go to college for this too and possibly the world's team and compete with the best of the best and if I get to compete with the best of the best that means I am the best," explained Morris.
The District II Championships continue tomorrow with semifinals and finals. Four wrestlers from each weight class will advance.
