The Michigan Wrestling Association is pleased to announce its first Michigan High School Girls Wrestling Finals, which will award champions in 14 weight classes Feb. 3, 2019, at Adrian College’s Merillat Sport and Fitness Center.
The event will be conducted by the MWA, the state high school coaches association for the sport. All girls competing on wrestling teams sponsored by Michigan High School Athletic Association member schools and included on their alpha master rosters are eligible to participate. This event may count either as one of a
wrestler’s eight regular-season tournaments or one of two outside events allowed during the season by MHSAA rules.
Wrestling will begin at 10 a.m. at Merillat, located at 146. N. Charles St. in Adrian. The event will utilize current MHSAA wrestling weight classes – 103, 112, 119, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 152, 160, 171, 189, 215 and 285 –with eight places awarded at each weight.
“As president of the MWA, our board and membership has been supportive of this effort to bring a girls state championship to Michigan High School Wrestling,” said MWA President Casey Randolph, who serves as varsity co-head coach at Clinton High School. “In working with the MHSAA, Adrian College and the girls wrestling committee, we are excited about this first-year event for our girls. A huge thank you goes out to many people helping this come to fruition: Dan Hutcheson, Mark Uyl, Cliff Cushard, Tom Bennett and many more.”
Nationally, girls wrestling participation has nearly doubled since 2014 with more 16,565 athletes competing during the 2017-18 season according to the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS). MHSAA member high schools reported 250 girls participating in wrestling last season.
The MHSAA will serve as a presenting sponsor for the event, providing financial support, messaging and signage. Adrian College and the Adrian College wrestling program also will assist in sponsorship.
Randolph said the MWA will send to coaches additional meet information including a timeline for meet day and how and when coaches should register their athletes. All alpha master lists including athletes for this event must be sent to him at Clinton High School. All media inquiries also may be directed to Randolph at the above contact information.
