The North Carolina High School Athletic Association recently approved a one-year trial for a girls wrestling state invitational tournament, slated to be held in early 2019.

Count Polk County head wrestling coach Adam Dedmon as a fan of the idea — and not just because Wolverine Tori Strickland will be able to compete.

“It’s very awesome,” Dedmon said. “It will give Tori an opportunity and maybe will help us get more females involved in the sport.”

Earlier this month, the NCHSAA gave approval to a proposal for the event that came from the North Carolina Wrestling Coaches Association. The statewide invitational tournament is set to be held Feb. 2 in Winston-Salem.

Strickland, who has competed in the 113-pound class this season for Polk County, is part of a growing trend of girls taking part in the sport. The NCHSAA said that some 300 girls wrestled last season, and many within the coaching ranks have begun to push the NCHSAA to offer separate seasons for boys and girls.

Dedmon looks forward to watching his Wolverine compete in the historic event.

“Tori has worked hard every day in practice,” he said. “She’s such a hard worker, dedicated and committed [to]the sport.”

– Submitted by PolkSports.com