Arizona wrestler becomes first girl to win high school state title
Audrey Jimenez not only won the first ever appeal to compete against boys in the state title, but was crowned champion
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}An Arizona teen became the first female to ever win a high school wrestling title in the state while competing against boys this past weekend.
Audrey Jimenez, an 18-year-old from Sunnyside High School in Tucson, won the Division 1 title in the 106-pound weight class.
"The crowd was just super crazy," Jimenez told Scripps News Phoenix. "So that's what made it seem more of like, ‘Oh wow, like I just won state.’"
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The arena during the Division III Men's Wrestling Championship held at the Alliant Energy Powerhouse on March 12, 2022, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (Jack Dempsey/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
In a video posted to X of her match, you can see Jimenez is sort of in shock that she won the title, while the crowd is roaring in celebration as the referee raised her arm to signify the victory.
Now, Jimenez is used to winning state titles in her high school career, but it always came against girls. For the past three years, she’s been required to compete against girls despite facing boys during the regular season.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}This year, however, her coaches asked the Arizona Interscholastic Association to allow Jimenez to compete against boys in the state tournament, which was granted.
Scripps News Phoenix adds that Jimenez’ parents, her father Billy and mother Denise, have always spoken highly of their daughter’s work ethic.
A wrestler's shoes are seen on the mat during the Olympic Team Wrestling Trials at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on April 9, 2016, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
When the AIA gave her the ability to compete against boys in the state tournament, they both knew she would make the best of her opportunity.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"Once you see it done, you know it’s possible," Jimenez said.
Jimenez won the match, 7-5, after being down 4-2 early on. She beat four male wrestlers, including her championship match opponent, to win the title.
A wrestler's shoes are left on the mat following a win during the Division I Men's Wrestling Championship at Little Caesars Arena on March 19, 2022, in Detroit. (Jay LaPrete/NCAA Photos/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Jimenez also wrestles for USA Wrestling, recently securing a bronze medal in the Pan American Championships over a female Canadian opponent.