SYRACUSE — The New York State Public High School Athletic Association will hold its first girls wrestling individual tournament on Friday, Jan. 27, at SRC Arena on the campus of Onondaga Community College in Syracuse.

The Association estimated that 208 wrestlers from member schools around the state will compete in 13 weight classes. Each weight class will consist of 16 girls wrestling through to an individual championship or competing in wrestlebacks to sixth place.

Ten sections in the Association membership have girls participating in wrestling, six of which have all-girls teams.

“This is an exciting time for us as we host our first formal event for only girls wrestlers to compete in a statewide invitational tournament,” said Executive Director Dr. Robert Zayas. “There are nearly 1,000 girls competing on girls wrestling teams across the state and we’re pleased to be able to have an event to showcase them on Jan. 27. We are hopeful this will develop into a state championship in the near future.”

The Association began the process of establishing this event when girls wrestling was approved last August as an “emerging sport” where there are at least four teams in four or more sections. “Emerging sport” status means a committee can be established and an event may be developed.

The girls wrestling committee met in September and proposed to run a statewide invitational tournament.

Track Wrestling/Flo will stream all the matches on the NFHS Network.

Tickets are $11.50 and are available only online at www.gofan.co/NYSPHSAA. This event is a one-session, one-day tournament with matches starting at noon.