For Whitewater High School junior Ashly Xochipa, this past weekend was a dream come true.
In the first-ever WIAA State Girls Wrestling Tournament in La Crosse, Xochipa – competing in the 27-competitor 132-pound weight class – won her opening match by pin before losing to the eventual state runner-up Madalyn Sokolski of Bonduel.
Relegated to the consolation bracket, Xochipa won a pair of matches before falling to Emily Anderson of West Salem/Bangor.
Whitewater wrestling coach John Schimming praised the work of Xochipa, as well as the WIAA, in making the first state tournament for girls a historic event.
“Ashley represented her family, school and community very well throughout the day,” Schimming said.
Xochipa started with a pin in 1:15 over Madeline Eggerichs of Holmen before falling to Sokolski. The freshman from Bonduel would make it all the way to the final before falling in a 9-0 major decision to Kylie Rule of Mineral Point – a national-level competitor, Schimming said.
Xochipa then went to the consolation bracket, where she beat Sabina Ramos of Wausau West and Kyla Friday of Winneconne before falling to Anderson.
Schimming said he was proud of how Xochipa performed, adding she did well to finish in the top 12 in the state. She came into the meet unranked.
“This is just the first of what we are hoping will be many trips to this tournament for our ladies in Whitewater,” he said. “The atmosphere was outstanding all day and the excitement was excellent.
“We should all be thankful that the WIAA has joined others in providing these opportunities to the young women in our state,” he added.
