West Scranton’s Vaira Connor Claims Two State Wrestling Titles Amid Rise of Girls Wrestling in PA
By: Brad Loff | Sportzwire | April 1, 2025
West Scranton’s Vaira Connor has added her name to the growing list of trailblazers in girls wrestling, earning not one but two state championships in the 10U Girls 56 lbs division. Connor took home top honors at both the Keystone State Championships and the Pennsylvania Junior Wrestling (PJW) Youth State Championships, dominating her competition and making a statement as one of the region’s brightest young athletes.
Representing Mat Assassins Wrestling Club and NEPA Elite Wrestling Club, Connor’s back-to-back state titles are a reflection of her hard work, technical skill, and unmatched determination on the mat. Her double gold not only speaks to her individual talent but also represents the growing wave of success in girls wrestling across Pennsylvania.
In recent years, girls wrestling has seen explosive growth nationwide—and Pennsylvania is no exception. The PIAA officially sanctioned girls wrestling as a high school sport in 2023, following a surge in participation and the formation of over 100 school programs across the state. The movement, led in part by advocacy groups like SanctionPA, has opened doors for female athletes in what was once a male-dominated sport.
Across the country, girls wrestling is now the fastest-growing high school sport, with participation climbing to over 50,000 athletes. That momentum is being felt right here in NEPA, where young stars like Vaira are showing that the future of the sport is bright—and fierce.
With two state titles already under her belt at just 10 years old, Vaira Connor is helping to lead the charge, inspiring a new generation of female wrestlers in Pennsylvania and beyond.
