HERSHEY, Pa. — With the PIAA state wrestling tournament underway, history was made at GIANT Center.
The girls made their debut on the GIANT Center mats for state gold, joining the boys to see who would be taking home some hardware.
It makes for an exciting and historic weekend of wrestling.
“Growing up with the boys' team I've seen a lot of our guys coming here," said JP McCaskey junior Journie Rodriguez. "Watching from the stands, I always wished to be here wrestling for myself and now that I have that opportunity it's amazing. Hopefully, I keep wrestling and make it to the finals."
The finals are the goal for Rodriguez and the hundreds of other wrestlers at the state championships. With the joining the fold it's exciting times to be the first.
"It's certainly more exciting, we're welcoming 116 schools that are going to have girls' wrestling for the first time," said PIAA Chief Operating Officer Mark Byers. "I think it's exciting anytime you can be a part of something for the first time and make history."
On the boys' side, District III staples have been here before. For many, it will be their last ride and they want to make the best of it.
"Not many people get to be here in this position," said Central Dauphin senior Ryan Garvick. "So I'm always going to be grateful but I always got to set my goals higher than they already are and finish with the gold this time."
The PIAA championships will continue through Saturday, March 9.