National Girls & Women in Sports Day is celebrated annually on the first Wednesday of February. This day is dedicated to recognizing female athletic achievements and promoting opportunities for girls in sports.
Today, the NMU Athletics Department is celebrating girls and women, both past and present, to honor the achievements of women in sports, acknowledge the impact of sports participation, and advocate for equality and inclusion for girls in athletics.
MARQUETTE, Mich. – The moment
Alissa Caltagirone steps onto the mat, confidence follows. From her first exposure to the sport, wrestling became more than a competition — it became a place where she found motivation, focus, and self-belief.
Caltagirone, a junior from York, Maine, has established herself as one of the most dominant wrestlers in her weight class throughout the country. As a sophomore during the 2024-25 season, she was named a National Collegiate Women's Wrestling Championships (NCWWC) All-American and a Scholar All-American.
And competing at the highest level has only deepened her love for the sport.
"It's an indescribable feeling," said Caltagirone. "I love the feeling of competing. The intensity, the focus, and the challenge, it's just not something I can fully put into words."
Caltagirone credits her determination to keep moving forward to world-class athlete Katelyn Bouyssou, who is an American national competitor in judo with three national championships to her credit. Caltagirone grew up alongside Bouyssou, and watching her journey unfold has been inspiring.
"Through every injury, setback, and challenge, she always kept pushing forward. Her resilience and determination showed me what true strength looks like — not just in winning, but in continuing when it's hard."
Through those lessons, Caltagirone hopes to inspire younger athletes in the same capacity.
"I always want the younger athletes to know they are capable of anything. I hope to show them that talent is not everything; with discipline, consistency, and perseverance, you can do anything."
That desire to inspire was shaped by her own experiences navigating the sport at a young age.
For many female athletes, the path through wrestling is not easy. Caltagirone, however, learned early how to push through any obstacle thrown her way.
"As a women's wrestler, I grew up competing solely against boys and was the only girl on my high school team. Being the only girl forced me to learn quickly how to stand up for myself and earn my place. Those experiences shaped me into a stronger athlete and person, both on and off the mat."
Now representing Northern Michigan on the collegiate level, she has come together with other women who have gone through a similar upbringing.
"What I appreciate most about the women I compete alongside is their resilience. Every woman in this sport has had to overcome obstacles, and that shared toughness creates a level of respect that's unmatched."
Representing women in her sport at the collegiate level, Caltagirone has shown how far women's wrestling has come and how far one can go with dedication.
"I take pride in being part of the generation that continues to open doors for the next one. Representing women in my sport at the collegiate level is a reminder of the journey it took to get here. It means competing with pride, purpose, and responsibility — knowing that I'm representing not just myself, but women who are still fighting for opportunities in the sport.
"National Girls and Women in Sports Day represents the belief that women can do anything — we belong in every sport, every arena, and every conversation."
