By Keith Harrington
It was a historic night at the Granville High School Gym Wednesday as the Golden Horde hosted Watervliet and Salem-Camridge in their first ever girls high school wrestling match. Granville split a pair of dual meets, defeating Watervliet 24-21 before falling to Salem-Cambridge 36-18.
Before the matches began Golden Horde coach Steve Palmer addressed the large crowd on hand about the significance of the evening. Palmer spoke about the fact that even though it has been 50 years since the passing of Title IX, finally girls wrestling has arrived in New York.
In July girls wrestling achieved "emerging status" from NYSPHAA meaning at least four of the 11 sections in the state have at least four teams competing in that sport. In October NYSPHAA announced that a girls-only invitational event is scheduled for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years. The first tournament will be tentatively held on Friday, January 27, 2023 at SRC Arena in Syracuse, the day before the Boys NYSPHSAA Dual Meet Wrestling Championships.
Against Watervliet Granville's McKenna McKnight etched her name in the Golden Horde record books as she claimed her team's first ever victory. McKnight pinned Sophia Mixson in 1:04.
Jayme Landon and Kalyn Gould picked up forfeit wins in the match. Faith Cook was awarded a win after her opponent was forced to retire due to an injury.
Against Salem-Cambridge McKNight pinned Eden Patrick in just 11 seconds.
One might think that the record for the fastest pin may not be equaled for quite some time, but Landon changed that. Landon quickly diposed of Alexandria Cary. Landon's pin also took just 11 seconds, tieing her with McKnight.
Gould earned her second forfeit of the night to round out the contest.
Madeline Palulis, Molly Maxwell, Taylor Cary, and Rachel Lewis won by forfeit for Salem-Cambridge.
Mattison Jackson earned a win over Faith Cook in 1:36
Granville moves to 1-1 on the season. Salem-Cambridge is 2-0.
