MONROE COUNTY, Pa. — It's another day on the wrestling mat for sophomore Koralyz Feliciano at Pocono Mountain West High School near Mount Pocono. But today's training is different. She's getting ready for a big match-up against the school's rival, Pocono Mountain East.
"I think it's going to be very very tough and very very challenging, and there are a lot of new girls over there. There are a lot of new girls over here, so it's going to be a fair but very very good match," said Koralyz Feliciano, Pocono Mountain West wrestler.
The match will make history for both schools.
This is the first year girls' wrestling teams across Pennsylvania can compete in an official capacity, as the PIAA sanctioned girls' wrestling last year.
Freshman Kamore Gilbreath says she's proud to represent girls in the sport.
"People say, 'This win was easy because she's a girl; You guys are girls and easy.' So I think being a part of the first girl's team, and we train. We do the same workouts as the boys. We all do the same thing in the resulting room, so the doubt is kind of meh. But we still go out there and show out."
Coach Kevin Kloiber says the advancement in the sport gives female athletes a chance to compete at a higher level.
"Right now, the opportunities for women are almost boundless. Right now, girls' wrestling is the number one way girls can get into college and pretty much get their college paid for, and so college coaches really really want, They're trying to fill lineups with essentially people who are 1st or 2nd-year wrestlers coming right out of high school. So it's really important," said Kevin Kloiber, Pocono Mountain West Head Coach.
East girls say there will be added pressure since they have a home mat advantage for the rivalry match.
"It's so exciting because some of our friends are going to be here, some like family and friends, and you know, being here at home, you wanna win. You don't wanna embarrass anybody. So it's high stakes, but it's going to be rewarding," said Nuisa Lynch, Pocono Mountain East wrestler.
The match between East and West kicks off Friday evening at 6:30.