By: Clay Fritz

The fastest growing sport in the United States has fi rmly planted its roots in West Virginia. Participation in girls wrestling has sky rocketed in the last few years in the state and this past weekend was proof.

Due to the growing number of girls, two regional tournaments for state qualifi cation was setup last minute by the WVSSAC.

Petersburg traveled to Buckhannon-Upshur High School to compete in the North Region.

Freshman Kaitlin Booth was the lone representative for the Vikings at 114 lbs. In the fi rst round, she faced Kina Engle of Wirt County, easily won by pin in the fi rst period. In the quarterfi nals, she would lose a tough battle to the #1 seed from Washington to drop to the consolation bracket. Win or go home now. The Viking stepped up and used a great takedown to a turn to defeat Aliza Bratton of Roane County. This win sealed her qualifi cation for the state tournament! Next she faced a familiar foe in Libby Delsignore of Keyser, falling in the third period. For the fi nal match of the day, Booth wasted no time with a 18 second pin of Anya Moorehead of BU to place 7th.

Kaitlin fought hard all day and showed great improvement in the last few weeks. She becomes the fi rst girl to qualify for the Girls State Tournament in Petersburg High School history! A huge accomplishment for the freshman as she is paving the way for future girls in our program. Kate will compete on March 7th in Huntington.