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Chris Chancellor; The News Tribune The concept of seeing women competing against men is becoming more familiar among today's sports fans. Ila Borders was the first woman to start a minor-league baseball game in 1998. On Dec. 25, New Mexico kicker Katie Hnida became the first woman to compete in an NCAA Division I football game when she attempted an extra point against UCLA in the Las Vegas Bowl. The trend of females competing against males has moved to the high school level, but it's not on the mound or football field. It's on the mat. Jim Meyerhoff, assistant executive director of the Washington Interscholastic Athletic Association, said 64 of the 266 schools that offer wrestling in Washington state schools have at least one girl wrestling. With the interest level increasing, some would like to see the WIAA sanction girls wrestling. "It's a situation where it's stuck between a rock and a hard place," Meyerhoff said. "We have girls turned out at different high schools. (But) there's no schools that have enough girls to field an entire team." Shinelle Boger, one of two female wrestlers at Tahoma High in Maple Valley, would like to see that day come. Boger, a sophomore, said she thinks girls would be more interested in wrestling if the WIAA sanctions the sport. "I think it would be pretty cool because I know a lot of girls who would like to wrestle," she said. Boger said one problem is parents who don't want their daughters wrestling against boys. "A lot of parents won't let their girls wrestle because they think the guys are going to grope them," she said. "Most of the guys don't grope you, but my parents didn't really want me to do this because they didn't really want me rolling around on a mat with a guy." Boger's teammate, sophomore Amberle Montgomery, has won several awards at the national level since she started wrestling seven years ago. Unlike her teammate, Montgomery doesn't want girls wrestling sanctioned. "I think they should keep the boys and girls together, because it got me tougher," Montgomery said. But when girls wrestle guys, there can be some awkwardness - for the guy. "I think they should have girls wrestling, but girls wrestling girls," said Ira Jarmon, who competes at 171 pounds for Clover Park. "Don't get me wrong. There are girls who can beat guys but if they are wrestling at 125 pounds and up, they get man-handled and losing is no fun. "This one guy I know, he had to wrestle two girls. I told him to wrestle them like you wrestle me. Don't be too soft on them. "This is wrestling, wrestle her like the last guy you wrestled. Smack her upside the head." Tahoma coach Doug Pecha said he thinks Montgomery, who has a 12-5 record this season, is one of the few girls who can compete in boys wrestling. "She's put in a lot of time," Pecha said. "She's one I think could compete at the state level." Although Pecha said he would allow his daughters to wrestle if they're interested, he thinks high school girls should be aware of the challenges for female wrestlers. "It's hard for women to compete at the same level as men," Pecha said, referring to high school wrestling. "I would just make sure she understands what she is getting into." Pecha said he would like women's wrestling to become sanctioned. "I think it would (give female wrestlers) a lot more achievable goals," Pecha said. "It's the only other sport with sexes competing each other. I can't think of any other sport that is that way. That would be the turning point, with women competing against women." Meyerhoff said the WIAA isn't considering sanctioning girls wrestling, but is looking at other options for females interested in the sport. "We're hoping to see a girls exhibition at the state tournament down the road if the interest continues to increase," Meyerhoff said. Pecha said he thinks girls wrestling will continue to grow. Unlike other sports traditionally dominated by males, such as football, Pecha said wrestling offers advantages to women. "You can be 105 or 270 pounds and compete," Pecha said. "In football you're limited. Size tends to be a crucial part of the sport. Women can walk right into a varsity position sometimes and make an impact. It's for every kid, every size." Montgomery agreed. "It's a one-on-one deal and whoever wins is the best," Montgomery said. "In football, you could be the best linemen and you wouldn't get the respect." Montgomery said respect is important because boys can't attribute girls' victories to male teammates like other team-oriented sports. "I guess we are trying to prove that girls can do it just as well as guys," she said. Even though Pecha said he would like to see what Montgomery could do against female wrestlers, he hopes to watch her continue to have success against boys. "I would like to see every other sport with women wrestling women," Pecha said. "But who knows, maybe Amberle will shock everyone by winning at the state tournament." And maybe have her name mentioned as a trendsetter, along with Borders and Hnida. Chris Chancellor: 253-597-8680 Seattle P. I. Article Here's the link to the Seattle P.I. Article. There are a few inaccuracies (such as Vashon's first girl wrestler was Carey Rosenow in 1986) but hey, it's good press. Results for the Girls Rock The Girls Rock was inaugurated with 36 girls in attendance, a ton of excitement, great times, and even a news crew! ... Girls Rock Report Welcome to the Girls Rock You are officially a part of Washington State history. The Girls Rock Tournament ... Soap Box The Soap BoX Id like to take a moment and add a few things on girls and womens wrestling. As a fan ... Girls Wrestling Links More Info on Girls Wrestling: There is a load of information on the Internet regarding girls wrestling, ...
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