Socorro multi-sport athlete Chailynn Amaro, here celebrating a win at the high school state meet in February, has signed to wrestle at Waldorf University, an NAIA school in Forest City, Iowa.
Glen Rosales for El Defensor Chieftain

Although Socorro senior multi-sports athlete Chailynn Amaro has always experienced success in her various sporting endeavors, she never really considered the possibility of earning an athletic scholarship.

That is, until Waldorf University in Forest City, Iowa, expressed interest in her as a wrestler. Fittingly, she’s going to a school with a familiar mascot, Warriors.

“Honestly, I was kind of confused because I never really wanted to go to college especially to play sports,” Amaro said. “I just wasn’t looking for that.”

But after receiving an Instagram note from Warriors head coach Tyreece Gilder in December, she began to consider the possibilities.

“I saw what they had and they have everything that I’ve wanted to look for in a school,” Amaro said. “Building a sport and getting my degree in photography and business.”

She visited the NAIA school in February and that was the deciding factor.

“It was fun,” she said. “It was still wintertime so it was pretty cold, but it was a good time. I got to meet a lot of the girls on the team and the coaches were very nice people.”

Amaro showed the athletic ability and characteristics that the school was seeking for its women’s program that has been in existence 12 years, Gilder said.

“Chailynn is a great addition to our team,” Gilder said. “Her many years of experience, her work ethic and her competitiveness are all great qualities that will help push both Chailynn and our team as we work toward our goals.”

Amaro is making history as she becomes the first Socorro wrestler – male or female – to get a wrestling scholarship.

“I’m the first person here in town, which is kind of insane because I never expected to go wrestle in college,” she said. “When I was younger I would have rather played soccer than wrestling. But getting this, this year, it blew my mind in a lot of different ways.”

She got her start 11 years ago at the behest of her uncle, Socorro wrestling coach Joel Partridge Jr.

“He wanted me to go try it with my cousin Trey,” Amaro said. “So I went out and I stuck with it ever since.”

Having one of his athletes ink a letter of intent is a big step, Partridge said.

“It’s exciting,” he said. “But not surprising. She’s the first girl to wrestle in Socorro with our program, that I’m aware of. She’s driven and a motivated young lady.”

After Waldorf’s contact, Partridge said he could see a change in the way Amaro approached wrestling.

“Once there was interest, a little spark that started it for Chailynn,” he said. “Somebody out there showed some interest in what she was doing and it hit her, struck a chord with her, and it mattered. It was really cool seeing a different side of her. I do my best to motivate her every day, but somebody from the outside showing interest in you, it’s different. That’s the next level.”

It is a big step for the Socorro program, as well, he said.

“It will continue to grow,” Partridge said. “She was one of our team captains for the young ladies and young men. They see that kids from Socorro can go wrestle in college. The difference of having the opportunity and wanting to take advantage of an opportunity. You’re biting off a lot when you decide to wrestle in college. It’s no small feat to be a student-athlete in college. It’s just multiplied by a lot.”

Now she’ll be heading off into the unknown for the first time.

“Going that far, it’s exciting and also a little nerve-wracking at the same time,” Amaro said. “I’ve always wanted to live outside of New Mexico. So going out of state makes me happy and I’ve always wanted to travel, see somewhat of the world. See the world and try and try to figure things out. But I’m very close with my family so that will be the hardest part.”

Glen Rosales for El Defensor Chieftain