Henderson County High School senior Naomi Santiago continued as a trailblazer for her sport when she won the school’s first individual state championship at the KHSAA Girls State Wrestling Tournament on Feb. 17.
Santiago won in the 152-pound weight class at the tournament that was held at the Kentucky Horse Park. The runner-up was Madison Southern’s Sierra Young.
“I am beyond proud of my Lady Colonels as they placed fifth at the first ever KHSAA Girls State Wrestling Tournament,” said Coach Jermaine Poynter. “We only took five wrestlers and four of them placed and got on the podium. I am especially proud of Naomi Santiago for placing first to become our program’s first state champion.”
The team finished with 61 points behind state champion Taylor County (123.5), Harrison County (100), Fort Campbell (98.5) and Union County (98.5).
Before the HCHS girls wrestling team formed last year and before becoming an official KHSAA sport this season, Santiago wrestled in co-ed matches.
Just a few weeks ago she became the first female to sign a letter of intent to wrestle collegiately, which she will do next year at Campbellsville University.
She had a Number 2 state ranking in her weight class going into the regional and state tournaments.
