WVHS girls wrestling team prepares for inaugural season

Warwick Valley High School’s new girls varsity wrestling team held its first informational meeting on September 17, bringing together returning Wildcat wrestlers and students interested in getting involved with the sport for the first time. 

The 2026-2027 season will mark the first year of a dedicated girls wrestling program at WVHS, with its own practices, dual meet schedule and tournament opportunities.

For returning wrestler Charlotte Tuckfelt, having a team of their own makes this season feel different.

“Last year, it kind of felt like we were just girls joining a boys sport,” she said. “Now, it feels like an actual thing girls can do.”

The new team comes as girls wrestling continues to grow across New York, creating more opportunities for female wrestlers to compete.

Athletic Director Greg Sirrico welcomed the group and introduced Coach Carlos Barquero, who will lead the program in its inaugural season.

Mr. Barquero brings years of experience with Warwick wrestling to the role. He helped start the WVHS boys wrestling program 28 years ago and has also coached Warwick’s girls flag football program since its launch four years ago.

“I’m really excited for this,” he said.

The team already includes wrestlers with a wide range of experience. Mr. Barquero said the schedule will include high-level competition for experienced wrestlers along with local tournaments where those newer to the sport can gain experience.

“We’re going to be coaching everybody up to their level,” Mr. Barquero said. “The expectation is to get better every day.”

Among those experienced wrestlers is team captain Victoria “Tori” Alvarado, who has already made her mark on Warwick’s wrestling program.

Tori won the NYSPHSAA girls wrestling state championship as a sophomore in 2025, pinning all four of her opponents in the first period on her way to the title. She followed that performance by repeating as a Section IX champion during her junior season and returning to the state tournament, where she finished second. Tori is also a two-time All-American.

Now a senior, Tori will bring that experience into a new role as captain of Warwick’s first girls wrestling team.

Tori said she is excited for girls to have their own space to practice and hopes the new program encourages more students to step outside their comfort zones and give wrestling a try.

“I know it was really intimidating for a lot of girls,” she said. “I’m hoping they’ll step outside of their comfort zone and just try something new.”

As captain, Tori said she wants to share what she has learned with her teammates while keeping the experience fun.

“I’m just trying to teach them as much as I can,” she said. “Just trying to have fun, and win as much as possible.”

More than a dozen girls attended Thursday’s meeting, and Mr. Barquero hopes to see that number continue to grow as the season approaches. He encouraged students to bring a friend and give the sport a try, regardless of their size or previous athletic experience.

“The beauty with wrestling, and I say this to the guys too, is wrestling is for everybody,” Mr. Barquero said.