Remarkably, Brendan had not faced a female opponent since he began wrestling in seventh grade, despite the fact that wrestling is not officially sanctioned as a sport in Colorado. He conveyed his reluctance to engage in the physical aggression associated with the sport when competing against a female, both on and off the mat. He was determined not to disrespect the dedication and effort female wrestlers put into their matches. Brendan stressed that wrestling was an activity they engaged in, not a definition of who they were. He added that other priorities in life held greater significance to him.
Angel Rios and Jaslynn Gallegos, who secured fourth and fifth place respectively, made history as the first females to place at the tournament. Gallegos, who began wrestling at the age of five, expressed understanding and respect for Brendan’s decision, emphasizing that she saw herself as a wrestler rather than a “girl wrestler.” While she acknowledged that her gender could still be a limiting factor, she did not take offense to Brendan’s choice.
