Takedown Report

Women’s Wrestling News (2021) – # 13 {High School}

TDR Editor’s Notes (4/30/21) # 2901; The growth in Girls High School wrestlers, teams and championships continues to grow even as some seasons have been delayed, and rescheduled for later in the year. Wrestlers persist and we anticipate that we can rebound to new heights in numbers in the fall of 2021. Keeping wrestling on! Contact us at the Editor’s office at martinkfleming@gmail.com
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1 } – {Montana} John Letasky: State tournament concludes exciting first year of girls wrestling
ILLINGS — These girls wanted to wrestle. The drive for success was evident all season. Starting with the first practices of the year and ending with the state tournament in this inaugural season of girls wrestling in the Treasure State, the dedication, enthusiasm, talent and skill of the athletes was on display. It was a year that will long be remembered by Montana sports enthusiasts. Some of the girls were wrestling rookies, drawn to the chance to compete and bond through the addition of a new sport to the lineup.

Others had wrestled at the high school level previously, as girls who wrestled in grades 9 through 12 before this season competed against the boys and girls in the regular and postseason. And, there were some who were either current club level wrestlers, or who had competed in the sport at the youth level in the past. On Friday and Saturday at Lockwood High School 148 girls wrestlers from 47 different teams, including classes AA, A and B-C, competed in the first girls wrestling state championships sanctioned by the Montana High School Association.
… rest of story and links to more at https://billingsgazette.com/sports/high-school/wrestling/john-letasky-state-tournament-concludes-exciting-first-year-of-girls-wrestling/article_4d44473a-d953-5edb-be8e-eb790e4d47e7.html?mc_cid=4fc5b594c8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

2 } – {Colorado} Boundary to Boundary Colorado HS – Mead HS Head Girls Coach Rachel Salaz
Episode #83 of Boundary to Boundary Colorado HS is with Mead HS Head Girls Wrestling Coach Rachel Salaz. This being the first full sanction girls wrestling season in Colorado, many teams and school district have combine to become one team. This is the case at Mead HS as they are the St Varian School district host school. Rookie head coach Rachel Salaz is taking the task head on with six girls on the team this year. … rest of story at http://insidecoloradowrestling.com/index.php/16-high-school/1883-boundary-to-boundary-colorado-hs-mead-hs-head-girls-coach-rachel-salaz?mc_cid=7c3cd1ad34&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

3 } – NATIONAL GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL RANKINGS RELEASED FOR MARCH, AS 17 HIGH SCHOOL STATE TOURNAMENTS ALREADY HELD
USA Wrestling, FloWrestling and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum has published its fifth national rankings for high school girls wrestlers for the 2020-21 season. This ranking evaluates all girls enrolled in grades 8-12, and athletes from all 50 states are eligible for selection. It has been a busy time in girls high school wrestling, with numerous states completing their season and hosting their girls state championships.

As of this week, the following states have already hosted their official state sanctioned championships, or their unofficial recognized state championships: Virginia, Kansas, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Ohio, Utah, North Dakota, Florida, Montana, Idaho, Georgia, Nebraska, South Carolina, Iowa, Alabama and Indiana.The results from these state tournaments had major impact on this month’s rankings. There were also some big open high school events held during the month.

A number of other states are holding their high school seasons, with more state tournaments to come in March. Others have delayed their high school season until spring, and some states may not hold a high school state championships this year. … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/March/05/National-Girls-High-School-rankings-for-March?mc_cid=92195b958e&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

4 } – Peach Named Iowa High School Female Wrestler of the Year
WATERLOO, Iowa – The National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum announced on Wednesday that Millie Peach of Iowa Valley High School has been chosen as the inaugural recipient of the Iowa High School Female Wrestler of the Year award. Peach will be presented her award during the Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame of Iowa inductions on June 25 at the Prairie Links Golf & Event Center in Waverly, Iowa. For more information on the induction ceremony, please contact the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum at (319) 233-0745 or dgmstaff@nwhof.org.

The award will be presented annually to the top female high school senior wrestler in Iowa. Peach made history by becoming the first wrestler to win three Iowa Wrestling Coaches & Officials Association state titles, compiling a perfect 9-0 record in the three tournaments. … rest of story at https://nwhof.org/blog/peach-named-iowa-high-school-female-wrestler-of-the-year/?mc_cid=2a2fd7a25b&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

5 } – WYOMING SEMINARY GIRLS BEAT PENNSYLVANIA USA WRESTLING IN ALL-STAR FREESTYLE DUAL MEET
Carpenter Athletic Center on the snowy campus of Wyoming Seminary played host to Freestyle for Females: Wyoming Seminary vs. Team Pennsylvania today. The young Wyoming Seminary girls wresting team was led by freshmen Faith Bartoszek, Carina Giangeruso, Rianne Murphy, Tai Mallqui, Tiffany Stoshak, and Cloe Charlesworth, all who won their matches to lead the Blue Knights to a 62-43 win. Murphy and Charlesworth both picked up falls in their bouts. Cadet World team member Lilly Freitas picked up two technical falls. Other SEM wrestlers also won via technical fall, including Virginia Foard, Abby Duke, Piper Staniford, and Kendall Bostelman.

Team Pa started out with back-to-back wins from Juliette Trout and Julia Horger in the youth matches. Also earning victories on the day were Pennsylvania were Joelle Scott, Sierra Chiesa, Jael Mille, Alexa Ortiz, Jordyn Fouse, and Haylie Jaffe. A number of the matches including national ranked athletes, a great showcase of talent. “Today’s match was much needed mat time for our young team. … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/February/21/SEM-vs-PA-girls-all-star-dual-meet?mc_cid=4fc5b594c8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4bhttps://www.steamboatpilot.com/sports/girls-outnumber-guys-on-soroco-wrestling-team/?mc_cid=83f6447486&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

6 } – SIX NO. 1 SEEDS WIN TITLES AS FIRST GIRLS FREESTYLE CHAMPIONS CROWNED AT INAUGURAL HIGH SCHOOL NATIONAL RECRUITING SHOWCASE
CORALVILLE, Iowa – The national rankings will get trashed based upon the wide-open action and multiple upsets in the girls freestyle division during the first High School National Recruiting Showcase on Saturday. There were over 100 state champions who competed in the tournament, as well as numerous talented stars who earmed a spot in the field through one of eight qualifiers held across the nation. In total, over 100 nationally ranked wrestlers were in the field.

However, experience did matter in some weights, as six No. 1 seeds were able to survive the deep field in their divisions and secure the National Recruiting Showcase champion trophy. As a first-time event, these are the inaugural champions of the High School National Recruiting Showcase. Many have extensive international and national resumes, while others were truly making a big jump into the national limelight.

Claiming the 100 pound title was No. 2 seed Brianna Gonzalez of California, who edged No. 1 seed Alexandra Szkotnicki of Maryland, 8-6. With Gonzalez leading 2-0 at the break, the second period was filled with offense. With the score tied at 4-4, with just 40 seconds to go and Szkotnicki leading on criteria, … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/March/27/High-School-National-Recruiting-Showcase-girls-finals-wrap?mc_cid=6c27c8fabf&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

And LOADED GIRLS FIELD AT HIGH SCHOOL NATIONAL RECRUITING SHOWCASE FEATURES OVER 110 NATIONALLY-RANKED ATHLETES
The field will be spectacular in the girls freestyle division for the first USA Wrestling High School National Recruiting Showcase, which kicks off on Saturday. For a first-year event, there has been an amazing show of talent in the girls division, with 111 nationally ranked athletes in the draw, as well as 112 state champions. Not all of the ranked wrestlers have been a state champion. Not all of the state champions are in the national rankings. This will truly be a chance for our nation’s best wrestlers to display their talents, by beating other talented stars.

The High School National Recruiting Showcase is being held in freestyle, which is the style these girls will compete when they advance to the college level. What makes this even a better chance to make a name for themselves is the fact that the USA Wrestling Girls Folkstyle Nationals will be held on the next day in the same arena. Girls in the National Showcase who choose to enter both tournaments will be able to bring home national titles and All-American honors in both styles on the same weekend. … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/March/26/Preview-Girls-division-at-HS-National-Showcase?mc_cid=977ea0b267&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

7 } – With new star Maya Letona, Columbia women’s wrestling aims for victories and a varsity spot
As a high schooler, every day before she left for practice, first-year Maya Letona would look at a newspaper cutout pinned to her bulletin board: “Santa Cruz sophomore Maya Letona suffered a heart-breaking 1-0 decision to San Benito sophomore Jenna Hartman to finish in fourth place, one spot from a state berth.” The snippet from the Santa Cruz Sentinel was a stinging reminder of just how close she came to qualifying for the California Interscholastic Federation State Wrestling Championships tournament months before. Though it was only the second year of her wrestling career, Letona’s narrow defeat at the Central Coast Section tournament left her with a deep desire to compete at the highest level.

One year later, Letona won sectionals and placed seventh at states. A year after that, she won again at sectionals, as well as at the Napa Valley Girls Classic—one of the largest girls wrestling tournaments in the nation—and took home silver in the state. … rest of story at https://www.columbiaspectator.com/main/2021/03/24/with-new-star-maya-letona-columbia-womens-wrestling-aims-for-victories-and-a-varsity-spot/?mc_cid=1bb3332bd3&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

8 } – {Ohio} ‘Wrestle like a girl:’ Dayton wrestling coach makes history, creates safe spaces for girls to train
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) – Britney Carrington is the new girl’s wrestling coach at Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School. She says she is working to combine her passion for her hometown, and her passion for advocating for women in sports to start something new in the area. “There were very few female coaches in the area. It was just important to me that the girls in this area had a strong female role model to lead these types of practices,” she said.

So, with the help of a local business owner in downtown Dayton, she has created an open gym opportunity for girls of all ages and levels who want to learn more about wrestling. “There’s no other girl’s wrestling facility in the city limits that provides a place for girls to come together and wrestle together,” said Carrington. … rest of story at https://www.wdtn.com/news/local-news/wrestle-like-a-girl-dayton-wrestling-coach-makes-history-creates-safe-spaces-for-girls-to-train/?mc_cid=7907c53ef0&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

9} – Here’s how Bald Eagle Area’s Grace Stem is thriving while trying to promote girls’ wrestling
If you ask anyone who follows wrestling which state is the best at producing talent, their answer will more than likely be: Pennsylvania. In fact, the Keystone State led all states with 17 All-Americans, including seven finalists, at this weekend’s Division I NCAA Wrestling Championships. That success makes it even more surprising that Pennsylvania is one of just 22 states that has yet to sanction high school girls’ wrestling. But Bald Eagle Area junior Grace Stem — who just won the 140-pound title at the MyHouse PA Girls State Championship in Lancaster on Sunday — believes momentum is building to change that. … rest of story at https://www.centredaily.com/sports/high-school/article250133209.html?mc_cid=1bb3332bd3&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

And {Colorado} Girls outnumber guys on Soroco wrestling team
OAK CREEK — Soroco High School was at the forefront of girls wrestling 10 years ago when sophomore Lauryn Bruggink became the first female to win a match at the state tournament. At the time, girls wrestling wasn’t a thing. There were just girl wrestlers, and Bruggink, now Lauryn Edmonds, was one of the first to do well against the guys. Now, 10 years later, in the first-ever Colorado High School Activities Association-sanctioned season of girls wrestling, Soroco is making history again, boasting one of the biggest small-town teams with six girls. Freshman Larhae Whaley, daughter of head coach Jay Whaley, has been wrestling since she could walk. It’s never been a foreign sport for her. She’s never felt out of place on a mat, since she’s always been there.

“It’s pretty natural. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” she said. She’s also always wanted a state title, something she’ll get her first crack at this year in the state tournament at the Southwest Motors Event Center in Pueblo on March 20. McKenzie Clark will also try to get back to state after missing the podium last winter. … rest of the story at https://www.steamboatpilot.com/sports/girls-outnumber-guys-on-soroco-wrestling-team/?mc_cid=83f6447486&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

10 } – COVID no match for the growth of PA girls wrestling
MANHEIM—It was barely a year ago that the #SanctionPA movement kicked off, an effort seeking the PIAA sanctioning of girls wrestling in the state of Pennsylvania. The number of girls participating in the state was exploding, increasing at nearly exponential rates. Then came the pandemic.

All of a sudden the entire sports world was thrown into flux, with more questions than answers. Somehow, though, the number of girls participating in the sport at the high school level still rose, and the number of school-sponsored teams rose to nine. Many of those girls descended upon the Spooky Nook Sports Complex Sunday, battling for one of ten state championship gold medals at the MyHouse/PAUSAW Girls Folksyle State championships.

“Nobody had any idea what would happen with the pandemic,” said #SanctionPA volunteer Leah Wright. ”But the number of girls just at the high school level rose by 30-percent, and girls-only clubs started springing up all over the state for girls of all age groups. The interest is there, and is only getting stronger. State sanctioning would give these girls the same opportunities for coaching and competition that the boys have.” … rest of story at https://papreplive.com/2021/03/21/covid-no-match-for-the-growth-of-pa-girls-wrestling/?mc_cid=7490ba8a46&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

11 } – MOORE, ESTRADA WIN 16U GIRLS FOLKSTYLE TITLES, THEIR SECOND GOLDS OF WEEKEND; ALL YOUTH DIVISIONS RESULTS HERE
CORALVILLE, Iowa – The first session of the 2021 USA Wrestling Girls Folkstyle Nationals has been completed, with action in the youth age divisions (8U, 10U, 12U, 14U and 16U). Champions and All-Americans were crowned in all of these divisions. In the 16U division, which featured a number of nationally ranked high school girls, two of the stars were champions Shelby Moore of Washington (122) and Zao Estrada of South Carolina (112). Both were champions in freestyle on Saturday night at the High School National Recruiting Showcase, and followed up on Sunday morning with titles in the 16U division at Folkstyle Nationals.

Moore, who is ranked No. 7 nationally in high school coming into the weekend, pinned Celeste Detoles of Utah in the finals in 1:32. Moore had three pins and a decision in her bouts, and was named Outstanding Wrestler in the 16U division. Estrada, ranked No. 24 nationally in high school before these tournaments, pinned another ranked high school wrestler, No. 18 Emma Albanese of Nevada in the finals in 2:25. … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/March/28/Girls-Folkstyle-Nationals-16U-and-youth-wrap-and-results?mc_cid=6c27c8fabf&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

12 } – MOORE WINS GIRLS FOLKSTYLE NATIONALS JUNIOR TITLE, HER THIRD GOLD THIS WEEKEND, WHILE FOUR OTHERS WIN A SECOND TITLE
CORALVILLE, Iowa – Shelby Moore of Washington finished a memorable weekend with her third USA Wrestling national title, capturing the 122-pound title in the Junior division at the USA Wrestling Girls Folkstyle National Championships on Sunday night. Moore was a champion at 122 at the inaugural High School National Recruiting Showcase, a loaded freestyle event, on Saturday night. On Sunday morning, Moore was a champion in the 16U division of the Girls Folkstyle Nationals, and was named Outstanding Wrestler in the age-division.

Her third title came in a Junior finals battle against Gianna DiBenedetto of California, which ended as a solid 7-0 victory for Moore. She was able to score the key takedowns and control the action in all positions. Moore was ranked No. 7 nationally in high school coming into the weekend, while DeBenedetto was ranked 21st in the USA.

Two other wrestlers were able to win Junior titles in both styles this weekend, with a freestyle title at the High School National Recruiting Showcase on Saturday and a folkstyle national title on Sunday: Rose Cassioppi of Illinois (164) and Eliana Bommarito of Michigan (225). Cassioppi won a rematch … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/March/28/Girls-Folkstyle-Nationals-Junior-results?mc_cid=6c27c8fabf&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

April 30, 2021 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized