EVANSVILLE — New Haven junior Julianna Ocampo made history at this weekend’s IHSAA wrestling state finals by becoming the first girls wrestler to medal during the boys wrestling state finals. Ranked seventh in the state at 106, Ocampo placed sixth in her third-career state finals appearance.
“I hope it pushes other female wrestlers to come out here and definitely try against the boys. I know there are some female wrestlers out there that are scared, but I promise you it’s not that bad,” Ocampo said. “It’s a lot of fun, and obviously being a female and going out there and beating up some guys is pretty nice.”
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Ocampo began wrestling as a toddler and was inspired by her two older brothers, her father (Samuel) and her elder sister (Alyssa), who also wrestled.
“Yes, it ran through my whole entire family. I just jumped into the middle of practice when I was little and then I was on it,” Ocampo said. “It just started to be my thing, and I continued the rest of your life.”