Two previous trips to the girls state tournament had turned out medal-less for senior Gianna Falise, but she went out in style in her last opportunity.
Falise (a Grandview student who wrestles for the Eaglecrest team) made state at 147 pounds as a sophomore in 2022 and 155 pounds last season with a combined record of 2-4 in those frustrating appearances.
The third time proved to be the unequivocal charm, however, as she went 4-0 and became a state champion at 190 pounds with a win by fall over Douglas County’s Elizabeth Sandy Saturday night on the big stage at Ball Arena.
“It motivated me more and I worked harder and harder and harder,” Falise told the Sentinel about not placing her first two times to state.
“Last year when I didn’t place, one of the things I told my coaches is that I felt like all the work, all the blood and tears that I put in were for nothing,” she added. “Looking back on it, it obviously was for something. I wouldn’t have had it any other way.”
A week earlier, Falise lost to Sandy by fall in the second period of a Region 2 semifinal match contested at Vista PEAK Prep, but the rematch went a different way.
Falise earned a takedown late in the first period, put Sandy on her back briefly and got a quick pin call from the referee to the amazement of herself and others. Her father, Khris, and Eaglecrest head coach Horacio Vialpando watched gleefully from her corner as they had all tournament long.
“I heard him (the referee) call the pin and I was a little confused, it seemed too early,” Falise said.
After she won the title and completed a 48-6 season, she went over to the stands and hugged family and friends, which included Blythe Cayko, who was the first state champion for the Eaglecrest program in 2022.
“I don’t have words, I know she worked so hard for this,” Vialpando said. “We gave her every opportunity to get better and she took it. …This is a very special moment for Gianna and her family and I’m glad that she got this. She’s earned it and worked so hard for it: all the time in the weight room, going to Fargo in July and doing the things that nobody wanted to do. It pays off.”
Falise started the season in the 170-pound spot in the lineup, but her last match before she switched to 190 came Jan. 18 when she lost by fall to Brighton freshman Matilda Hruby, who had a perfect season and won the 170 pound title.
Once she made the strategic weight change, Falise went on to win the Tiara Challenge and the Centennial League Championships at her new weight and placed third in Region 2. At state, she posted wins by fall over Palmer’s Miah Lendsey, Canon City’s Abbigail Wold and Central Grand Junction’s Adalee McNeil prior to her win over Sandy.
Every one of her matches at 190 pounds was decided by fall.
“We saw that there was an opportunity (to move up), so we had a conversation and made a team decision,” Vialpando said. “I can’t believe it worked and here we are now, she’s a state champ.”
Falise shared a long hug at the end with her father, who helped get her there.
“He became a coach just to help calm me down,” she said. “I used to struggle a lot with anxiety, so putting him in my corner is great. It’s just a nice face that can calm me.”
Falise’s victory capped a strong showing for Eaglecrest, which finished seventh in the team standings. Falise’s training partner, sophomore Emma Roberts, placed sixth at 235 pounds and senior Nyla Barmore took sixth at 125 pounds as well (story, here).
Courtney Oakes is Aurora Sentinel Sports Editor. Reach him at sports@aurorasentinel.com. Twitter/X: @aurorasports. IG: Sentinel Prep Sports
