Submitted by The Evergreen State College
Flor Parker Borrero (Jr.) is a key competitor for The Evergreen State College women’s wrestling team. After sitting out five years following her high school athletic career, she joined the Geoducks last season and earned NAIA All-America status. In addition to succeeding as a wrestler, Parker Borrero is a top-quality student focusing on psychology, who recently was named to the Cascade Collegiate Conference All-Academic Team for the 2024-25 winter season.
Returning to wrestling was something Parker Borrero wanted to accomplish to prove to herself and to others that she could resume her athletic career. She has succeeded in a big way at Evergreen.
“I was able to prove to myself that I still belonged in this sport, and it was self-rewarding,” Parker Borrero said. “I did not get to where I wanted to be due to injury, but I proved to myself and all those that said I couldn’t do it that I could. Not many people could leave a sport that long and come back and be an All-American, and I’m just blessed that I was able to do so.”
After earning All-CCC honors with a third place finish at the conference meet last season, she competed at the NAIA National Women’s Wrestling Championships. She took sixth place in the 155-pound weight class.
This year, Parker Borrero is off to 16-0 start with 15 wins by pinning her opponent along with one win by technical fall. She has been named CCC Women’s Wrestling Player of the Week twice and has received NAIA Women’s Wrestler of the Week honors once.
Her efforts as a student also have been successful. She is a senior academically at Evergreen.
“I am currently going for my degree in psychology, and I want to go all the way through my doctorate,” Parker Borrero commented. “I want to help woman and adolescents that have been through sexual and physical abuse.”
Evergreen has helped Parker Borrero gain confidence in the classroom. She is an active participant in her classes.
“While at Evergreen, I’ve enjoyed stepping outside my comfort zones and being able to collaborate with my community and learn to speak up and voice my opinions, which was something I was beyond too scared to do before,” she noted.
On the women’s wrestling team, she is a leader for the Geoducks and is ranked #2 in the NAIA in the 160-pound weight class.
“What I enjoy about wrestling is being one of the best at what I do,” Parker Borrero said. “My skills that make me a good wrestler are from my intensive background in judo,” she asserted. “Also, just the dedication and time my parents put into my training and into me as a person.”
Parker Borrero highly values her teammates and the Evergreen women’s wrestling coaching staff. On the mat, the Geoducks have received votes in every NAIA Women’s Wrestling Poll. The team is in a good position to move into the Top 20 as the postseason approaches.
Evergreen will compete in a dual match at Big Bend Community College in Moses Lake, Washington, on Saturday, Feb. 8. After taking on Big Bend, the Geoducks will have several weeks to prepare for the CCC Championships on March 2.
“One of my favorite things about Evergreen wrestling is my team,” Parker Borrero asserted. “We have built a bond that’s become family. My coach especially is someone I respect so highly and love with all my heart, and someone I know will be there for life.
“I appreciate being able to just go in the wrestling room knowing it’s full of love and laughter, even in my hardest times. I enjoy being able to build lifelong connections and community with my team and my coaches,” Parker Borrero said.
