High school girls continue to make their mark on the evolving wrestling landscape, rewriting the sport's history with each stride forward. In Minnesota, the wrestling world witnessed a groundbreaking moment as a girl stood on the podium among the boys for the first time, defying expectations and inspiring countless others. Meanwhile, Pennsylvania hosted its inaugural sanctioned tournament for girls, a milestone that marked a significant step forward in one of the nation’s biggest wrestling states. And amidst these historic events, top-ranked four-timers are beginning to come to fruition across states. These events capture the continued fight in this new era of high school girls' wrestling.

Caley Graber Reaches The Podium At Minnesota Boys’ State

On March 1, Caley Graber became not only the first girl to win a match at the Minnesota boys’ state tournament but also to medal. Graber, a Fargo runner-up, opened her state tournament with a pin in 89 seconds, then she won her quarterfinal match 5-2 before dropping the semifinal match 4-0. The sophomore lost her Saturday consolation match 1-0 after her opponent escaped in overtime. Graber ended her state run on a win, earning herself a fifth-place finish at 107 in the 3A division. 

In the same bracket was Gigi Bragg, who took third at Preseason Nationals in October. Both Graber and Bragg qualified for state by winning their section tournament. However, Bragg lost both of her state matches. 

In 2022, the MSHSL added a girls-only division for the first time. Last year, Graber won the girls' state tournament as a freshman.

Two athletes blazed the trail for the girls for the Minnesota state tournament. In 2009, the first girl qualified for the boys state tournament. Elissa Reinsma qualified as a sophomore and again as a senior. Emily Shilson, a three-time age-group World champion, qualified for state three times (2017-2019). Neither won a match, however. 

Val Solorio Earns A First Sanctioned State Title — Again. 

Last weekend, Pennsylvania hosted its first sanctioned girls’ state wrestling championships at the Giant Center right alongside the boys. Valarie Solorio of Canon-McMillan, ranked nationally #3 at 100, has been the favorite to make history as the first PIAA-sanctioned girls' state champion, and she fulfilled that prophecy by pinning all of her opponents throughout the tournament. This is the second time the Iowa commit won a title in a state’s inaugural sanctioned championship. In 2022, Solorio also won the first sanctioned title for Florida. 

Winning PIAAs didn’t happen by accident for the Fargo champ. Every day during the season, she knew she was expected by those around her to win the title. She expected herself to win the title and told herself that if she worked hard enough, she could make it happen. 

During her interview with Kyle Klingman, Solorio revealed how she overcame the nerves she had going into the match. 

“I told myself wrestle like no one is there, wrestle like practice, just listen to my coaches and get it done,” she said.  

Along with capping her high school career with an individual title, Solorio helped Canon-McMillan — a program she grew up wrestling in before high school — earn its first team state title. 

Haylie Jaffe vs. Jordyn Fouse 

Two nationally top-ranked athletes met up in one of the highly anticipated matchups at PIAAs. In the 136-pound final, Haylie Jaffe ( #1 at 135) took on Jordyn Fouse (#5 at 140). 

Both athletes dominated their sides of the bracket. Fouse, a Fargo runner-up, picked up a first-period technical fall in her opening round and then just as quickly pinned her next two opponents before the finals. Jaffe, a U17 World bronze medalist, earned three pins to reach the final bout. Jaffe battled through the last folkstyle tournament of her high school career just six days after the unexpected passing of her father. 

While hand-fighting controlled the first round, Jaffe put the first point on the board with an escape 30 seconds into the second period. In the third period, Fouse chose bottom and timed Jaffe’s chop to roll through and caught Jaffe on her back during their scramble. Fouse secured the fall for the state title. She also won the tournament’s Outstanding Wrestler award.  

Four-timers Chloe Dearwester and Savannah Isaac

Chloe Dearwester, nationally ranked #4 at 105, became the third Ohioan girl to win four state titles. The Fargo All-American finished her senior year undefeated, going 38-0 at 105 pounds. Dearwester pinned her way through the state tournament, spending no more than 90 seconds on the mat at a time. Dearwester is graduating from the nationally-ranked Harrison High School and will continue her athletic career at Presbyterian College, which recently finished eighth at NCWWC Nationals. 

Also joining the four-time club was Savannah Isaac, who is nationally ranked #2 at 190. Isaac, a three-time Fargo champ, also went undefeated for her senior year which capped an undefeated high school career at 83-0. She opened up the tournament with a technical fall and then continued through the finals with three pins. Next year, Isaac will be attending Life University, which just finished second at NAIA Nationals. 

Four Is Sabrina Nauss' Favorite Number

Sabrina Nauss — who’s ranked #7 in the pound-for-pound rankings — won her fourth Michigan state title. Nauss registered two technical falls and two pins at 190 pounds to secure her final title. Nauss is an eight-time high school national champion — four from Fargo and the other four from Folkstyle and Preseason Nationals. Nauss has yet to announce a school but is keeping her options open as she visits various colleges and prepares for the freestyle season.