Ryleigh Sturgill Forfeits Girls' Season To Compete For Boys' Team
Ryleigh Sturgill Forfeits Girls' Season To Compete For Boys' Team
Ryleigh Sturgill can't wrestle at the Tennessee girls' state championships, but she was a crucial part of the boys' team making the state dual championship.
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Ryleigh Sturgill proved you can win even when you lose.
The Baylor School sophomore wrestles for the girls' team but was asked by the boys’ coach to compete at 113 pounds against rival McCallie for a spot in the Tennessee Duals State Championships.
“We knew before the high school season that if I wrestled a guys’ match then I wouldn’t be allowed to wrestle girls anymore,” Sturgill said. “This opportunity came around last Tuesday and Coach (Rex) Kendle had called my dad and presented the opportunity.
“He said, ‘I think we can use her.’ I was like, ‘You know what, I have to put myself aside and if he thinks it’s going to work, I have to trust him.’”
Kendle needed everything to go right on Friday, January 24.
The dual started at 126 pounds, meaning Sturgill would compete in the second to last match of the night. McCallie led 26-24 when Sturgill walked to the mat. She scored the first takedown but eventually fell 11-8 in a wild, entertaining bout as chants of “Ryleigh, Ryleigh, Ryleigh” filled the gymnasium.
Baylor was down by five but there was a surprise ending. McCallie forfeited at 120 pounds, giving Baylor a 30-29 win. Sturgill’s decision loss preserved a team point, sending her team to the state championships.
“They had bumped up their 120-pounder but they didn’t have anyone left,” Sturgill said. “I guess they bet on my opponent teching or majoring or pinning me to get that bonus point.”
Sturgill is ranked #14 at 100 pounds and weighed 106 for the dual. She will compete for the Baylor boys’ team at 113 at the state duals championships and drop to 100 for the National Girls’ Prep Wrestling Championships on February 21-22.
Below is an interview with Sturgill and the entire Baylor-McCallie dual.
Ryleigh Sturgill Interview
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