BIGGS, CA (MPG) - Wrestling at Biggs High School was somewhat non-existent, especially after Covid shut the program down for two years. Recently, Coach Cody Walsh and a few helpers have reinvigorated the program.

Coach Walsh says that the BHS wrestling program didn’t have a girls’ team until he came on board and began recruiting. Although the team is small, boasting only four female wrestlers, the Biggs Girls Wrestling Team has had some phenomenal results this season.

Three of Biggs lady wrestlers have been ranked in the top ten in the Northern Section – junior Karma Oliverez sitting at 4^th, sophomore Jayden Beck ranked 7^th, and sophomore Jessie Avram ranked 4^th in their respective weight classes. The ladies continued to do well at each meet, bringing home medal after medal and earning them a spot in the first ever Northern Section California Interscholastic Federation (NSCIF) Championship Tournament.

The NSCIF Tournament was held Saturday, February 4^th at Etna High School. Biggs would compete against ten other teams from Divisions 3 and 4. Since Div. 3 and Div. 4 are smaller schools, Walsh says they compete together but name their champions in their separate divisions.

After a lot of work on the mat, Biggs team would take home the team title of Champion in Division 4.

Individually, Biggs wrestlers would do incredibly well. Oliverez would be named first ever NSCIF Champion in both Div. 3 and Div.4 in the 108 lb. weight class. Oliverez said of the honor, “It’s been a great opportunity to be able to wrestle this season and learn under my coaches. They’ve helped me so much, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.” She added, “to get passed the obstacles along the way made this moment feel even better.”

Within Div. 4, Sophomore Jessie Avram would take 2^nd place in the 162-weight class, with sophomore Jayden Beck medaling 4^th place in the 139-weight class, and Emma Bowles, a freshman and first year wrestler, bringing home 2^nd place in the 191-weight class.

Coach Walsh says, “As a coach, what the Girls Wrestling team has been able to accomplish in two short years has been amazing to see. The growth they have made on and off the mat, while facing the demands that come with a sport like wrestling is a testament to their focus and determination. It’s an incredible honor to be their coach. It’s also been great to witness girls wrestling as it continues to grow and gain the spotlight it deserves. Wrestling has helped me so much in life, and I’m honored to pay it back by coaching such a hard working goal oriented team.”

With this win, BHS Girls Wrestling team moves onto the first ever NSCIF Girls Masters Tournament, scheduled to be held at Chico High School, Chico on Saturday, February 18^th. Wrestlers hit the mats beginning at 10:00 am. Tickets can be purchased online at https://gofan.co/app/events/894102?schoolId=CA15787 or at the door with discounts for senior citizens and students with ASB, and K-8 (at the door only).