Del Norte sophomore Natalie Benavides on Thursday became the eighth girl to compete at the CHSAA state wrestling tournament, losing her first-round Class 2A 138-pound match by first-period pin to Sheridan Harvey of Meeker.
Benavides (12-26) moves to the consolation bracket of the tournament Friday morning. Despite the loss, she remained upbeat about adding to the growing history of girls competing on high school wrestling’s biggest stage. Benavides’ appearance marked the ninth consecutive year a girl qualified for the state tournament.
“It was really big for me to be the only girl, and I knew I had to make a statement,” Benavides said. “I’ve been dreaming of this moment for forever, and I want to make it easier for all the younger girls who are too afraid to wrestle boys and of what people think.”
Benavides, who took fourth at regionals via a dramatic third-period pin in the qualifying match, said her goal is to make the state tournament two more times before she graduates.
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John Leyba, The Denver Post
Cobie Back of Del Norte, bottom gets tied up by Brendyn Nordyke of Holly during their Class 2A 120 pends match at the Colorado high school state wrestling qualifiers Feb. 16, 2017 at Pepsi Center.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Cael Croissant of Wiggins, front, and Brandon Ward of Dolores get tangled up during their Class 2A 120 pound match at the Colorado high school state wrestling qualifiers Feb. 16, 2017 at Pepsi Center.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Sheridan Harvey of Meeker takes control of Natalie Benavides of Del Norte during their Class 2A 138 pound match at the Colorado high school state wrestling qualifiers Feb. 16, 2017 at Pepsi Center.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Macoy Michael of Bayfield, top, takes control of Jack Prentner of Conifer during their 3A 170 pound match in the Colorado high school state wrestling qualifiers Feb. 16, 2017 at Pepsi Center.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Casey Hand of Trinidad ties up Wyatt Johnson of Estes Park during their 3A 182 pound match in the Colorado high school state wrestling qualifiers Feb. 16, 2017 at Pepsi Center
John Leyba, The Denver Post)
Sam Deseriere of Mullen ties up Tristan Stoos of Vail during their 3A 285 pound match in the Colorado high school state wrestling qualifiers Feb. 16, 2017 at Pepsi Center.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Jace Trujillo of Pueblo East takes control of Brennan McBride of Fort Morgan during their 4A 113 pound match in the Colorado high school state wrestling qualifiers Feb. 16, 2017 at Pepsi Center.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Jace Trujillo of Pueblo East pins Brennan McBride of Fort Morgan during their 4A 113 pound match in the Colorado high school state wrestling qualifiers Feb. 16, 2017 at Pepsi Center.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Justin Pacheco of Pomona ties up Bryan Fierro of Rangeview in a pin position during their 5A 113 pound match in the Colorado high school state wrestling qualifiers Feb. 16, 2017 at Pepsi Center.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Dessmund Prospero of Brighton gets a hand in the face by Alex Scott of Monarch during their 5A 120 pound match in the Colorado high school state wrestling qualifiers Feb. 16, 2017 at Pepsi Center.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Dessmund Prospero of Brighton wiggles out of a hold by Alex Scott of Monarch during their 5A 120 pound match in the Colorado high school state wrestling qualifiers Feb. 16, 2017 at Pepsi Center.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Grant Willits of Pueblo County, bottom takes control of Mario DeLara of Battle Mountain by the left during their 4A 132 pound in the Colorado high school state wrestling qualifiers Feb. 16, 2017 at Pepsi Center.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Chris Sandoval of Windsor takes control of John Murphy of Valor during their 4A 138 pound match in the Colorado high school state wrestling qualifiers Feb. 16, 2017 at Pepsi Center.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Josiah Rider of Grand Junction pins Atiba Obika of Centarus during their 5A 145 pound match in the Colorado high school state wrestling qualifiers Feb. 16, 2017 at Pepsi Center.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Shaun Stepisnik of Grand Junction Central tries to keep from getting rolled on his back by Hunter Willits of Pueblo County during their 4A 152 pound match in the Colorado high school state wrestling qualifiers Feb. 16, 2017 at Pepsi Center.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Tate Samuelson of Castle View and Dakota Barela of Heritage during their 5A 170 pound match in the Colorado high school state wrestling qualifiers Feb. 16, 2017 at Pepsi Center.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Elias Espinoza of Pueblo South and Paul Salazar of Grand Junction Central battle during their 4A 145 pound match in the Colorado high school state wrestling qualifiers Feb. 16, 2017 at Pepsi Center.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Carlos Romo of Rocky Ford and Spencer Holtorf of Yuma get tangled up during their 2A 138 pound match in the Colorado high school state wrestling championships Feb. 16, 2017 at Pepsi Center.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
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Cobie Back of Del Norte, bottom gets tied up by Brendyn Nordyke of Holly during their Class 2A 120 pends match at the Colorado high school state wrestling qualifiers Feb. 16, 2017 at Pepsi Center.
