Caption: (left to right) Head Coach Stephen Peters, Rosa SanClementi, Asst. CoachThomas Hirshler, Asst. Coach Alanna Carrol
By: Kiana Madrigal
On February 28, the Wallenpaupack girls wrestling team competed at Regionals at Milton Area High School and continued to build on an already successful season. In just the program’s third year, six wrestlers qualified for the tournament, with one earning a spot at States.
Sophomore Rosa SanClementi began the tournament strong, winning her first match 7-3 to advance to the Quarter Finals. Unfortunately, she fell 5-0 in that round to the eventual second-place finisher, but it was an extremely close match. The loss sent her to the consolation bracket, and the stakes couldn’t have been higher. The winner of the first consolation match would advance to the third/fourth place match, guaranteeing the winner would go to States. A familiar opponent stood at the other end of the mat, Mia Gifford from Western Wayne. It was the same girl she beat for the first time ever to claim the District Title. This match would be significantly more difficult because both girls knew what was at stake— the chance to go to States.
Mia struck first with a takedown in the opening period. Having just come off of a defeat by Rosa, she came strong and aggressive. Rosa didn’t let that shake her and came back in the second period with a near pin, but Mia countered with a reversal. The score was 5-4 for the rest of the match. With just ten seconds remaining in the third period, Rosa knew it was now or never; if she didn’t do something, she would lose. She took a bold shot, lifted Mia off the mat and took her down! The referee awarded Rosa three points for the takedown with six seconds left on the clock. As the final seconds ticked away, Mia collapsed onto the mat. Rosa secured the win and her spot at States.
Having used every ounce of what she had in that match, Rosa didn’t have much left to give for the last match of the day and got pinned in the second period. Still, her focus already turned towards Hershey and getting ready for the next level of competition.
“Coach Hirshler has been helping me work on strategies and moves to beat Gifford since the Hawkeye tournament this December,” Rosa said.
“And all that work – all the things the coaches told me—I was thinking about during that match and it all paid off. I am so grateful.”
Gia Silvia also had a dramatic match. In her first match of the day, she was losing 9-6 in the third period. With twelve seconds left, Gia saw her opportunity and secured a pin to advance to the quarterfinals. Unfortunately, she sustained an injury that affected her performance in her next match. After consulting with her coaches, Gia made the difficult decision to withdraw from the tournament to prevent further injury. Though disappointed, the team knows Gia will return next season even stronger.
Kaylee Newcomer earned a win from her first match after her opponent was forced to medically withdraw due to a concussion. She later faced the No.1 seed in the tournament and brought all her energy and excitement that she’s known for. But she couldn’t fight off the pin from the highly ranked opponent. As a freshman, Kaylee has a bright future ahead and will return next season stronger, more experienced, and just as enthusiastic.
Mya Statile won her first consolation match with a fall in the second period before losing her next bout in an extremely tight battle ending in a 3-1 decision. Freshman Clare Hargis also claimed a victory in her first consolation match with a pin. Sophomore Heaven Dozier battled through tough competition all day. And while she didn’t advance, she made the team proud with her grit and perseverance.
