AAPI Month Spotlight: Amy Zirneklis

Amy Zirneklis, co-founder and COO of Wrestle Like A Girl, discusses her experience with the organization, her background in sports management, her culture as a Palauan American and more for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Read Amy's full story on themat.com.
About USA Wrestling
Website: go.teamusa.org/3NoBDtx
Become a USA Wrestling Member: bit.ly/3NK7UfT
USA Wrestling Events: bit.ly/3NoBIgP
Follow USA Wrestling
Facebook: / usawrestling
Twitter: / usawrestling
Instagram: / usawrestling

[@kevindittler6524]

Great to see Tricia Saunders work from decades ago really building up! She & all the women wrestlers are very Inspirational! To All You are doing a Fantastic Job! Thank You!🙏🤼‍♀️⚡️💥✨😀

[@kevindittler6524]

Female high school wrestler makes history by winning Arizona state title against boys
By KNXV via CNN Newsource
Published: Feb. 21, 2024 at 3:40 PM CST
(CNN) - An Arizona high school senior is now in the history books for becoming the first girl to clinch an Arizona state wrestling title, competing against boys.
“Because once you see it done, you know it’s possible,” Audrey Jimenez said. “Women’s athletics just overall are really, you know, just really shining right now.”
The senior at Sunnyside High School was allowed to wrestle with the boys throughout the season, all the way up to a section of the state.
“So, I mean, it’s kind of just like a ‘Why not?’ type of thing,” she said.
Her father, Billy Jimenez, said it was “just unbelievable” to see Audrey win the title.
“And when she puts her mind to something, and pretty much everything that she said she’s going to do, she’s done,” he said. “It was just unbelievable. We still, I still couldn’t believe it.”
Later this year, Audrey will be going to the Olympic trials with hopes of making the Olympic team.
Finalist at the Olympic Trials &
Almost made it as a High School Athlete, Watch out world here she comes!!

[@johndecker7881]

Does Arizona have a separate girls division ?

[@kevindittler6524]

@@johndecker7881 Yes, she won that her first three years and did not basically have hardly any competition in the state so she appealed to the AIA and they approved her and one other girl to wrestle against the boys. She ended up being the alternate for this year’s Olympics in the 50 kg weight class I believe she lost in the finals at the Olympic trials

[@johndecker7881]

@@kevindittler6524 oh so a boy could wrestle in the girls division and no one can complain. Don’t you get it allowing her to wrestle boys is no different than a boy transing to a girl entering all girls sports an winning . I’m sad tired of double standard . GET IT YET ? No other sport would allow girls to enter as boys sport . DISGUSTING. ANY COME BACK? I DOUBT IT .

[@johndecker7881]

@@kevindittler6524 so you agree that a boy transing to a girl can enter all girls sports and winning . Isn’t turn about fair play . Double standards are not the right way .

[@kevindittler6524]

@@johndecker7881 Not exactly sure of the point you’re trying to make. She is a very elite level wrestler that comes from a program that has produced a multitude of state champions and national champions across to anybody that wants to compete I can guarantee the guys that she was wrestling with at the state championships were not being any easier on her than any other competitor. I know from firsthand experience seeing some of the elite level women’s wrestlers can beat many of the men in their weight division. I had watched Tricia Saunders wrestled many years ago and I do not think that there’s a time that she ever took it lightly when her and Townsend ever wrestled and practiced. As for gender changing males to females I understand wanting to compete but do not agree with most of the situations that occur. anyone that wants to Accel to be there very best I think should be given an opportunity to compete against whoever the best is in whatever endeavor they choose.