Local Wrestling Phenom Makes History at State Championships
Jayden Smith
McPherson Sentinel
A McPherson Bullpup placed third in the 155 lb. bracket at the KSHSAA Div. II girls’ wrestling State Championships Friday, marking the first time in school history that a female wrestler placed at the tournament.
Junior Holli Giddings, the No. 2 ranked wrestler in the division, beat Hailey Horton of Silverlake in the third-place match by fall in less than 45 seconds.
Giddings entered the tournament on a hot streak, with a 30-1 record after placing first at Sub-State on Feb. 19.
Her performance in the 2020-21 season signified a steady climb from when she started wrestling in middle school, especially considering her initial reluctance to even get on the mat.