The Canandaigua City School District is proud to announce the addition of Girls Wrestling as an official school sport for the 2022-2023 school year. It will be the first program in Section V and it will be offered in the winter for modified through varsity.

"The sport has seen tremendous growth over the past few years, and we are close to having it sanctioned by NYSPHSAA. I think it is only fitting that a program with one of the richest traditions in NYS history, be the first in the area to offer this opportunity to our female athletes. This great sport teaches discipline, delayed gratification, and overcoming adversity. It helps build confidence and breeds leadership. These are all skills that our children need to be successful in life," stated Canandaigua Academy Coach Eric Mullen. Mullen will coach the girl's team along with the boy's team in 2022-2023 and is starting his seventeenth year in the program.

Sophie Pollack has competed for Canandaigua Wrestling and has been a varsity letter winner the past four seasons. "I am really excited that Canandaigua is going to have a girls wrestling team. It will create many opportunities for female wrestlers and hopefully one day there will be a New York State Championship Tournament. Wrestling has taught me discipline, dedication, and being an athlete requires time management skills to maintain high academic standards," stated Sophie, who will be a senior next school year. Sophie placed fifth at the Fargo National Tournament and sixth at the US Open Tournament in Las Vegas. For the past four years Sophie has competed in girls tournaments and dual matches against male wrestlers. "I am really excited for more female wrestlers to be on this girls team at CA as they will have the opportunity to compete against only girls. Wrestling is a great sport and I urge more girls to try it."

Kathy Hoyt, Executive Director of Section V, is pleased for this opportunity and shared, "Section V is excited to see one of our member schools offer a girl's wrestling team. With the growth of girls wrestling nationwide, in New York State and locally, Section V is focused on supporting the opportunities for girls in the sport of wrestling."

Across New York State the sport of girls wrestling is growing and close to twenty schools will have teams next school year. The ultimate goal is to have a state tournament for female wrestlers and give more opportunities to wrestle other girls and less mixed competition (against male athletes). Interested student athletes should contact Coach Eric Mullen.