DENVER— Current Colorado Mesa University women's wrestling assistant coach Marissa Gallegos, an undefeated 2023 National Collegiate Women's Wrestling Champion, will be inducted into the Sportswomen of Colorado Hall of Fame while receiving her third consecutive yearly honor from the organization, which will hold its 50^th anniversary awards celebration on Mar. 17 at the Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center.
 
Gallegos joins Valor Christian High School graduate and now professional track & field athlete Anna Hall, a 2-time World Championships heptathlon medalist, in this year's Hall of Fame Class, an honor only bestowed to honorees who receive three awards in the same sport.
 
The Sportswomen of Colorado awards, which are presented annually, recognize the achievements of female athletes, coaches, and contributors to female athletics in Colorado. This year's winners represent a wide range of sports, including basketball, soccer, volleyball, racquetball, and even long range golf and Ninja Warrior. Special awards include Contribution to Sport, Career Achievement, and the Dorothy Mauk Pioneer Award.
 
Gallegos, had also been recognized by Sportswomen of Colorado for her 2021 and 2022 calendar year accomplishments and capped her collegiate wrestling career by becoming the Mavericks' first women's wrestling national champion, completing a perfect 28-0 final season.  The Denver native was ranked No. 1 in the 123-pound national rankings throughout the season and finished her collegiate career with a 94-8 record and all-America honors in all four years.
 
Gallegos was also named as the National Wrestling Hall of Fame-Colorado Chapter College Wrestler of the Year for the second time in 2023 and is a member of the USA Wrestling National Team program while also serving as the Mavs' assistant coach.  She competed at the 2020/21 U.S. Olympic Trials Qualifier and hopes to qualify for the 2024 Olympic Trials as well.
 
She also graduated in 2023 as a 4-time NWCA Scholar All-American.
 
"It is amazing to see Marissa earn a third Colorado Sportswomen of the Year Award," Maverick Head Women's Wrestling Coach Travis Mercado said.  "She embodies everything that young female wrestlers look for in a role model.
 
"To be named to the Hall of Fame and be alongside some of the greatest female athletes in the state of Colorado is nothing short of extraordinary. I am forever grateful to have the opportunity to coach and now coach alongside such an amazing women," Mercado continued.
 
Melissa Ward, Captain at United Airlines, and former University of Southern California basketball player, national champion and avid golfer, and Kirstie Ennis, a decorated athlete and amputee who has conquered some of the highest peaks in the world, will be the speakers at this year's Sportswomen of Colorado awards banquet. Former TV Sports Reporter Marcia Neville and Susie Wargin, Denver Broncos Radio Sideline reporter and DJ on 103.5 The Fox, will emcee the Mar. 17 event and present the awards.
 
The highlight of the evening will be the surprise announcement of the Sportswoman of the Year Award presented to Colorado's most outstanding athlete based on her 2023 achievements.

To learn more about the banquet and register for this amazing event online, go to www.sportswomenofcolorado.org/awardscelebration.