A full wrestling program for girls is in the works at Ponca City High School.

Ponca City Public Schools Tuesday announced the hiring of Karissa Avallone to be the first ever girls head wrestling coach. The hiring is pending board approval.

The Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association has officially supported girls wrestling programs for two years. Broken Arrow was the overall state champion in 2021. In 2022, there were four classes for girls wrestling with Tulsa Union being the Class 6A champion, Noble winning in 5A, Elgin the champion in 4A and Vian the winner in Class 3A. GIrls wrestling has been going on in Oklahoma before the OSSAA became an official sponsor.

Ponca City has a rich tradition in boys wrestling, winning eight state championships and four dual state titles. The most recent overall state championship was in 2006 with the most recent dual state title being in 2009.

Avallone, known as Coach K, started her wrestling career at Ponca City at the age of four and later wrestled in Newkirk. She had a very successful wrestling career in high school, winning two national championships and five All-American certificates held by the United States Girls Wrestling Association. She won eight championships at the state level. She then wrestled with a full scholarship at Missouri Baptist University where she competed for two years before retiring due to injuries.

At the coaching level, she successfully built girls programs at both Norman and Moore high schools. She had particular success at Moore with two regional championships and an Academic State Championship. She also has been voted Assistant Girls’ Coach of the Year by the Oklahoma Wrestling Coaches Association.

“I was drawn to Ponca City as this is where I competed in little league. I am excited to start a new program in the State of Oklahoma right here at Po-Hi. I look forward to meeting current wrestlers and introducing new young ladies to the sport,” Avallone said.

“Coach K will be a tremendous asset to the ladies here and we look forward to working with her in building on our rich tradition,” Head boys Coach Justin Roland said.

“I am excited about the additional opportunities for our young ladies here in Ponca City, said Athletic Director Jason Leavitt. “Coach K has been a pioneer in girls wrestling for many years and I am eager to see our girls’ program grow.”