MONTGOMERY — Wrestling has become an Alabama State Games mainstay sport since the 1990s. This year, it's evolving.

Freestyle, Folkstyle and Greco-Roman tournaments are scheduled for June 10 at Hoover High School. This year — through a partnership with the Alabama Girls Wrestling Alliance — the 40th Anniversary Alabama State Games will feature a separate, girls-only Folkstyle Tournament.

“This is a tremendous opportunity to take one of the more traditional Olympic-styled sports and push it to the next level by partnering with the Alabama Girls Wrestling Alliance,” said Ron Creel, Alabama State Games Founder and CEO. “The work done by the AGWA to grow the sport of girls’ wrestling in the state of Alabama has been phenomenal. It’s exciting to see their passion for this sport.”

Go to alagames.com. to register for wrestling or to learn more about the 21 sports offered during the 40th Anniversary Alabama State Games.

“Girls are innovating the sport, crossing over from other activities. They are bringing gifts such as flexibility, rhythm and timing, adding new twists to moves and techniques,” said TJ Zito, AGWA Media Director. “I have served as the announcer for many girls' tournaments and have been telling everyone that girls' wrestling will take off. Girls' wrestling is a different product than the boys’ and has a unique energy, atmosphere and fan participation that has to be experienced at a live event to be understood."

Satellite weigh-in sites for both boys’ and girls’ wrestlers are being utilized in the 40th Anniversary Alabama State Games wrestling tournament.

June 7 satellite weigh-in location

• Warrior Wrestling Club (2743 US-31, Alabaster, AL 35007) – EXCLUSIVE to Warrior Wrestling Club Camp participants

June 8 satellite weigh-in locations from 6-8 p.m. (additional sites may be added before June 8)

• Alpha Elite: (887 Plantation Way, Montgomery, AL 36117)
• Auburn Takedown Club (1701 Lee Rd. 10, Auburn, AL 36830)
• Assassins Wrestling Club (4620 County Rd. 610, Enterprise, AL 36330)
• Alabama Takedown Academy (520 Green Cove Rd. SE, Huntsville, AL 35803)
• Fort Payne Wrestling Club (440 Williams Ave. NE, Fort Payne, AL, 35967)
• Port City Combat Sports/Wrestling Club (7735 Airport Blvd Unit A, Mobile, AL 36608)
• Resilient Wrestling (Hytek Service Group, 109 Angus Dr. Tupelo, Miss 38804)
• Tech Fall Wrestling Club (3740 Resource Dr. C, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401)

June 10 satellite weigh-in locations from 7-8 a.m.

• LAST CHANCE Weigh-In at Hoover High School (1000 Buccaneer Dr, Hoover, AL 35244)

All athletes who register for the 40th Anniversary Alabama State Games and attend the State Farm Athletes Leadership Summit and/or Opening Ceremony are eligible to win one of 17 scholarships ranging from $500 to $4,000.

Since the inception of the academic scholarship program in the early ‘90s, $335,000 in academic scholarships have been awarded to athletes of all ages. The scholarships can be used for any two-year, four-year or trade school with no restrictions. They are also transferable between family members.

Athletes who attend either or both events June 9 at Bartow Arena — the leadership summit at 5 p.m. or the Opening Ceremony at 7 p.m. — will be gifted a 40th Anniversary Alabama State Games Commemorative T-shirt. After the Opening Ceremony, 40th Anniversary Commemorative T-shirts will be sold for $10 (cash or card) at varying venues.

Those who are unable to attend will have the opportunity to watch Opening Ceremony live on the Alabama State Games Television Network with stations spanning the state: Huntsville (WAFF), Birmingham (WBRC), Montgomery (WSFA), Dothan (WTVY) and Mobile (WALA).

For additional information and updates before to follow the Alabama State Games on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.