Fayetteville competes in first all-girls tournament

Fayetteville coach Nika West said his wrestlers broke new ground in Arkansas wrestling last week, being the first to compete as a group in an all-girls tournament in Springfield, Mo. The Purple Bulldogs became the first team in Arkansas wrestling history to take competitors to an all-girls event out of state on Dec. 27, West said. They competed in the all-girls portion of the Kinloch Classic, and three of the four earned runner-up finishes. Freshmen Mayte Rodgriguez (152) and April Stanley (131), along with sophomore Abby Fimbres each finished second in their respective weight class and helped Fayetteville finish fourth out of 11 teams with 37 points and just two points out of third. Fimbres is a sophomore and one of two girls, who came out a year ago for the team. There are currently seven females on Fayetteville's wrestling team. West is one of several coaches in Arkansas trying to get girls wrestling sanctioned in the state. He estimated only 15 to 17 states currently sanction girls wrestling, and Arkansas held its first unsanctioned state tournament last March. But he's excited for his wrestlers' opportunity to compete against other females. "I'm pleased with their work," West said. "It's a great opportunity, and I'm excited for them." The female wrestlers will head to Columbia, Mo., this weekend for another all-female event and also take part in another in Branson, Mo., in a couple of weeks. The fact that Missouri sanctioned girls wrestling this year will make it easier for him to find events in the future. But he's also looking at running an all-female portion of his own Battle for the Belt tournament next year. "We want to create opportunities for these girls, and when Arkansas does jump on board, we'll be ahead of the game," West said.

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Fayetteville High School Athletics

FAYETTEVILLE COMPETES IN FIRST ALL-GIRLS TOURNAMENT

PAUL BOYD

Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette | 1/3/2019

PHOTO CREDIT: Fayetteville High School Athletics