Girls Wrestling in New York State is now Official

New York State Girls Task Force leader, Kyra Tirana Barry, has declared that it is official. The NYSPHSAA has announced that girls wrestling in New York state is now in the “emerging sports classification.” There are 26 all girls’ teams spread across seven sections in the state and the sport will probably get full recognition as a state sport in the 2023-24 season. Our chapter is proud to be a part of this movement to get girls wrestling sanctioned in the state. Bob Zifchock and Carl Koenig have been very active in promoting the girls in our state. The chapter was responsible for having an exhibit table at this year’s boys state championships in Albany. And the chapter was honored to have our first Tricia Saunder Award winner garner the National Tricia Saunder’s Award. Sofia Macaluso received the award in Stillwater at the Honor’s Weekend Ceremony. Kudos to Kyra and all the people who advocated for girls wrestling – well done.

Attached is the tweet from NYSPHSAA pertaining to this … In accordance with the #NYSPHSAA Championship Philosophy, Girls Wrestling has now met the criteria to be considered an emerging sport (4 Sections with at least 4 participating schools). A statewide committee will now be formed.

Steve Silver Girls Outstanding Wrestler’s Award

The Chapter is also proud to announce that it will be dedicating its annual Girls Outstanding Wrestling Award in the name of Steve Silver who has done so much for the advocating of girls wrestling on the state and national level. Steve was a former two time Section V champion for Hall of Fame coach Walt Teike at Spencerport High School. Silver would go on to the University of Alabama and wrestle for Coach Pat Milkovich.

After college Steve became active again in wrestling when he son began to develop an interest in the sport. He founded and coached a youth wrestling club in Forney, Texas and hired Kenny Monday, Olympic gold medal winner to help coach. His support for Bishop Lynch High School wrestling helped to promote the school’s wrestling program to the national stage. 

For four straight years, including the 2008 Olympics in China, he served as the team leader for the U.S. Freestyle team. For his efforts, he was honored with USA Wrestling’s Man of the Year for 2006, the NWCA’s Dan Gable America Needs Wrestling Award for 2007, and was inducted into New York’s Section 5 Hall of Fame in February of 2009. The NWHoF named Steve their Outstanding American Award winner in 2009.

The Chapter is proud to recognize Steve by presenting the Girls Outstanding Wrestler’s Award in his name each year. Thank you … Steve for all you have done for wrestling in the country.