Female Supremacy Articles - Page 13

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``In 2004 there was not a uniqueness,'' she said. ``In terms of going out on the campaign trail, gender wasn't an issue.''

WRESTLING: Mat respect

Hutchison is turning heads by beating the boys

By ERIC SMITH

Anchorage Daily News

Published: January 20th, 2005

Hutchison, a freshman at Skyview, is the only ranked female wrestler in Alaska. She is currently fourth at 103 pounds, though she was third as recently as last week.

She is ranked because she routinely dispels the notion that girls can't compete with boys.

And she does this by routinely beating many of them. At last weekend's Glenn Vandergaw Classic at Dimond, Hutchison lost only once, a heartbreaking overtime decision in the semifinals, and took third at the tournament.

Because of her prowess against boys or girls, Hutchison has quickly established herself as a torchbearer of sorts for girls wrestling.

That's fitting because Hutchison's older sister, Melina, was one of the first-ever female place-winners at a state wrestling tournament when she took third in 2000 at the 4A championships alongside Homer Olympian Tela O'Donnell, who took sixth that same year.

Michaela is still considered by many coaches and fellow wrestlers as the likeliest girl to win a state title, if not this season, then possibly as a sophomore or junior.

"She's got as good a shot (to win state) as any boy her weight or age," said Skyview coach Neldon Gardner.