DENVER — Two Colorado high school wrestlers made history on Saturday, becoming the first females to put at the state tournament.

Angel Rios of Valley High School and Jaslynn Gallegos of Skyview High School needed one win each to make history in the Colorado High School Activities Association championship at the Pepsi Center.

Rios finished fourth and Gallegos fifth in the Class 3A weight class.

Brendan Johnston of The Classical Academy forfeited his games. He declined to wrestle Gallegos from the first round on Thursday and did the same when he drew Rios on Saturday.

“Right now it’s kind of still a blur,” Rios explained.

In a sport that’s predominantly composed of boys, Rios was motivated to hit the mat at a young age.

“I have so I was around the mat,” Rios said.

Over the course of her 15-year profession, Rios has faced her share of disbelief. But heading this weekend Rios was prepared to put up a fight.

But, Johnston says he does not ever wrestle females.

“It’s so bodily… physically close. I don’t think that’s really appropriate with a woman. It’s also very aggressive and I’m not actually, I guess, comfortable with this,” Johnston said.

While Rios said she was disappointed with the decision both don’t have any bad blood.

“I think it’s potential while still respecting them as competitors and athletes to forfeit. I really don’t want to disrespect in. They’ve done lots of that too. Some people think by forfeiting I’m disrespecting them. That’s not my intention at all,” Johnston said.

Johnston also made the decision to forfeit a competitor at the 2018 state championship.

“My coach always says,’Wrestling is what we do, not who we are,’ and that’s something I’ve taken to heart,” Johnston said. “The decision I made was important to me, enough to understand that I’d be done after that — at least. I’m OK with that. ”

For Rios, she is expecting her success in the sport will inspire women to follow.

“I’m hoping it motivates them to be the best they can,” Rios said.

Rios and Johnston both have aspirations.

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