Heading to Hershey
More than two dozen from Lehigh Valley will be a part of PIAA history
Easton’s Aubrey Krazer and Palisades’ Savannah Witt are happy to be part of the inaugural PIAA Girls Wrestling Championships, which are Thursday through Saturday at Hershey’s Giant Center.
There just wasn’t a lot of celebration after the two secured their spots by winning Southeast Regional titles last month.
“I kind of expected to be there but I’m really excited,” Witt said in a voice no different than if she were explaining technique to a novice.
Krazer and Witt are among the top-5 nationally in their respective weight classes. They’ve walked into the country’s top tournament venues expecting to leave with medals, so their muted reactions to reaching another state tournament — albeit this being the first sanctioned in Pennsylvania — is expected.
Other Lehigh Valley-area competitors, however, were a little more giddy.
“This was my first district and regional tournament,” Liberty junior Gracie Haflich said, “so I’m so excited to share a Hershey’s milkshake with my coach and go to states for the first time.”
There are 25 girls from The Morning Call coverage area who will not need a ticket to walk into the Giant Center on Thursday. They will be going through the competitors’ entrance and weight checks before taking to the mats.
Krazer, Witt, Panther Valley’s Brenda Banks and Quakertown’s Caroline Hattala previously won state titles. They expect to win again.
It is a pleasant surprise to them that they will be competing in a PIAA-sanctioned tournament.
“It’s nice to feel equivalent to the guys,” Witt said. “Over the last couple years, I feel I’ve worked just as hard if not harder than a lot of them. It’s good to see that our work is being honored.
“It’s definitely awesome. I didn’t think it would ever happen during my career, that I would see the sport grow like this, superduper fast.”
There are 208 qualifiers from 116 schools participating in the
inaugural PIAA event. The first round is 2 p.m. Thursday. The competition concludes at 4 on Saturday with the finals, which are being conducted at the same time as the boys championship matches.
Krazer is ranked among the nation’s top 20 pound for pound wrestlers according to USA Wrestling. She has medaled at many of the country’s elite events during her career. She, like, Witt, evolved into the wrestler she is by training and competing against boys.
Krazer, like Witt, has a younger brother, Ethan, who wrestles. The junior is excited to have her brother and his teammates see her compete on the state’s top stage. She also believes it is important for the younger girls across the state to be able to see how girls wrestling has reached this new height.
“There are some girls that I did not see coming through [regional qualifying], which is really cool to see,” Krazer said. “It’s great for the freshmen and girls even younger to see that. It’s amazing to see how much it’s grown.
“I’m glad my brother is going to be there and my dad and mom. It feels nice the boys I’ve trained with will get to see me compete and I get to see them.”
Witt (118 pounds), Krazer (130), Hattala (190) and Banks (235) are top overall seeds at their respective weight classes. They are not the only national-level competitors who will be in Hershey.
Canon-McMillan’s Valarie Solorio (100), Conwell-Egan’s Julia Horger (106), Butler’s Ana Malovich (118), Cumberland Valley’s Eliana White-Vega (124), Kennett’s Haylie Jaffe (136), Bishop McCort’s Jordyn Fouse (136), Chestnut Ridge’s Violette Lasure (142), Gettysburg’s Zoey Haines (148), Central Dauphin’s Charlotte Gilfoil (148), Williamsport’s Marissa Rumsey (148), North Allegheny’s Leyna Rumpler (155), Northern Bedford’s Raegan Snider (155), Punxsutawney’s Jael Miller (170) and Canon-McMillan’s Natalie Rush (190) are others with strong resumes who will be title contenders at their respective weights.
Northwestern (District 10) junior Sierra Chiesa, who made PIAA history last season by winning two matches at the boys state tournament before winning a girls state title the next day, is ranked fourth nationally at 120. She opted this year to compete in the boys tournament.
Parkland’s Kelsey Gelb, who reversed her fortunes against Northampton’s Mylea Lambert from the previous week at districts, clutched a large Hershey bar after winning the 155-pound regional title. The senior appreciates the opportunity she earned.
Last year’s East Regional runner-up knows it has taken more to get to this point this season than previous years when it was a jump from districts to states.
“I’m excited, for sure,” she said.
FIRST ROUND (locals in bold)
100: Valarie Solorio, Canon McMillan (12-0) vs. Danic Bacorn, Williamsport (17-5); Ella Hesener, Parkland (29-7) vs. Laurel Kuhn, Carlisle (23-8); Payton Hinkle, Bensalem (22-8) vs. Harriet Mack, Hempfield (25-7); Juliette Cuevas, Bellwood-Antis (7-1) vs. Sophia Beanner, Mount Lebanon (16-6); Jocelyn Fishel, Cumberland Valley (20-7) vs. Chelsea Dressler, Nazareth (14-5); Ariahna Moore, Hughesville (23-10) vs. Kristen Walzer, Montour (5-2); Autumn Shoff, Moshannon Valley (4-1) vs. Miranda Lalevic, Knoch (8-2); Grace Nesbitt, Neshaminy (19-0) vs. Kathryn Hollinger, Central Dauphin (22-11)
106: Julia Horger, Conwell-Egan (18-0) vs. Julia Ritter, Hughesville (19-10); Natalie Handy,
South Western (26-1) vs. Ashley Campbell, General McLane (19-7); Alysiana Price-Ierley, York Suburban (27-3) vs. Capri Chambers, Canon-McMillan (26-7); Kaylee Ebersole, Northern Bedford (20-8) vs. Anya Abel, Pennsbury (24-12); Madilyn Enterline, Greenville (5-0) vs. Clementine O’Brien, Hempfield (31-8); Eden
Eveleth, Bald Eagle Area (23-6) vs. Reese Dewar, Garnet Valley (7-3); Anna Lackey, State College (16-8) vs. Emily Sarr, Souderton (25-12); Isabelle Wilkes, Hamburg (24-0) vs. JoAnna Saad, North Hills (5-3)
112: Lillian Rumsey, Williamsport (32-0) vs.
Malia Ramos, Canon-McMillan (20-9); Sylvyn Parham, Parkland (26-9) vs. Journie Rodriguez, J.P. McCaskey (27-1); Juliette Trout, Pleasant Valley (4-2) vs. Isabella Baccio, Manheim Township (30-3); Daylee Watson, Conneaut Lake (5-0) vs. Nevaeh Strouse, Selinsgrove (23-6); Kylee Trostle, Eastern Lebanon County (8-2) vs. Macayla Needham, Central Bucks (26-10); Tamara Humphries, Brashear (17-6) vs. Lane Fordyce, Bishop McCort (26-4); Emma Johnston, Hickory (19-8) vs. Lexi DeSiato, Western Wayne (31-3); Andi Bibeau, East Stroudsburg North (5-0) vs. Cassidy Jeffries, Octorara (24-8)
118: Savannah Witt, Palisades (27-0) vs. Cleona O’Brien, Hempfield (31-11); Leah Sample, Saegertown (25-3) vs. Isabelle Seip, Wyoming Valley West (6-2); Trinity Moore, Connellsville (24-4) vs. Anaiah Kolesar, Northeast Bradford (25-3); Kallie Bower, Mechanicsburg (30-4) vs. Ashae Branch-Huston, Cheltenham (29-13); Saige Olver Honesdale (28-1) vs. Yunuen Ayala, Canon-McMillan (25-11); Cayci McKenna, Cumberland Valley (26-10) vs. Gisele Ramirez, Souderton (26-2); Addison Becht, Schuylkill Valley (13-4) vs. Savannah Richards, Pottstown (26-6); Ana Malovich, Butler (15-0) vs. Rachel Shoemaker, Crestwood (15-5)
124: Layla Bennett, Sayre (21-0) vs. Paige
Jox, Mount Lebanon (32-6); Abigail Taylor, Parkland (27-11) vs. Tatum Duckworth, South Western (27-3); Julissa Ortiz, Mariana Bracetti Academy (9-1) vs. Aaliyah Johnson, Central Dauphin (29-11); Saphia Davis, Plum (29-2) vs. Callie Hess, Benton (27-9); Eliana White-Vega, Cumberland Valley (33-1) vs. Gracie Clift, Abington (9-4); Alexis Brua, Laurel (23-7) vs. Hanna Rathbun, Athens (32-4); Kelley Enterline, Greenville (5-1) vs. Isabella DuVall, Philipsburg-Osceola (21-2); Madacyn Rivera, Pen Argyl (7-0) vs. Sophia Adams, Carlisle (24-16)
130: Aubre Krazer, Easton (23-0) vs. Miah Molinaro, Hazleton Area (16-11); Asia Fowler, Woodland Hills (23-6) vs. Zalike Roberts, Gettysburg (26-6); Anna Duncan, Ringgold (7-2) vs. Ainsley Bounds, Manheim Township (25-7); Emily Murphy, Montgomery (33-2) vs. Emma Arnold, Avon Grove (7-3); Shannon Govern, Hamburg (28-1) vs. Kacie Mook, Saegertown (23-8); Ariel Manning, Wallenpaupack (25-4) vs. Kayla Husti-Luca, Souderton (20-2); Patron Plummer, Chestnut Ridge (23-5) vs. Sarah Pearson, Downingtown West (28-9); Haley Smarsh, Moon (25-0) vs. Kenna Hoffman, Dallastown (24-11)
136: Haylie Jaffe, Kennett (11-0) vs. Kasey Kophazy, Warren (21-13); Alexis Kurzawa, Hughesville (19-4) vs. Katalyna Borreli, Tulpehocken (22-3); Sara Shook, Western Wayne (26-3) vs. Olivia Ball, Central Dauphin (26-9);
Ava Golding, Kiski (27-4) vs. Gabrielle Costa, Coatesville (18-10); Kayley Weidner, Schuylkill Valley (26-2) vs. Karissa Springer, Selinsgrove (23-6); Abigail Dolanch, Fort Cherry (27-7) vs. Ruth Rivera, Whitehall (5-1); Janaya Nobles, Connellsville (23-9) vs. Doniya Anwari, Liberty (19-4); Jordyn Fouse, Bishop McCort (32-1) vs. Mariana Bruscino, Cumberland Valley (19-6) 142: Violette Lasure, Chestnut Ridge (29-0) vs. Tammy Nguyen, Wilson-West Lawn (17-14); Rylee Netter, Upper Dublin (26-7) vs. Grace O’Korn, Peters Township (29-8); Jessica Ayala, Garnet Valley (4-2) vs. Anastasia Manchester,
Butler (25-6); Olivia Tillman, Wyomissing (13-5) vs. Samantha Monroe, Delaware Valley (12-6); Josephine Dollman, Norwin (23-3) vs. Olivia Capra, Easton (19-9); Veronica White, East Pennsboro (7-3) vs. Sayona Harris, Greater Johnstown (7-2); Anisa Orr, Penn Manor (27-7) vs. Shelby Shirley, Bradford (7-2); Sienna Landrum, Downingtown West (30-3) vs. Evangeline Gray, Canon-McMillan (15-15)
148: Charlotte Gilfoil, Central Dauphin (27-0) vs. Katrina Semens, Warren (18-11); Eve Kurtz, Pine Grove (28-8) vs. Alahna Morris, Lake-Lehman (19-8); Katie Brensinger, Northwestern (5-1) vs. Angelina Grieb, Bald Eagle Area (12-3); Karsyn Champion, Norwin (29-10) vs. Helena Socash, Red Land (15-8); Marissa Rumsey, Williamsport (29-1) vs. Symarah Drey, Liberty (20-11); Contessa Cotelesse, Laurel (18-3) vs. Zoey Haines, Gettysburg (29-2); Hannah Hornick, Seneca Valley (22-13) vs. Mayah Mulgrew, Cumberland Valley (31-7); Jameson Strickland, Sun Valley (30-1) vs. Brooke Long, Wyoming Valley West (5-3)
155: Leyna Rumpler, North Alleghany (32-1) vs. Juliet Fitzpatrick, Delaware Valley (12-5); Ysabella Patti, Central Dauphin (22-3) vs. Mylea Lambert, Northampton (18-2); Marty Morrison, West Perry (25-3) vs. Kaitlynn Arnold, Avon Grove (7-3); Raegan Snider, Northern Bedford (22-3) vs. Imani Cameron-Botti, Connellsville (22-11); Kelsey Gelb, Parkland (31-2) vs. Avery Baldwin, Dallastown (26-9); Camryn Steinbuch, Bedford (24-12) vs. Avry Ryhal, Hickory (22-2); Ashlyn VanFleet, Athens (17-9) vs. Dynisty Williams, Canon-McMillan (25-8); Kylie Monroe, Gettysburg (28-1) vs. Kaylyn Adair, Upper Perkiomen (24-6)
170: Jael Miller, Punxsutawney (24-0) vs.
Rowen Lewis, Greater Latrobe (9-12); Shannon Fratus, Parkland (28-7) vs. Aambur Brletich, Northern York (22-7); Maura Case, Easton (17-8) vs. Angela Imorhoa, York Suburban (26-11); Audrey Calgaro, Canon-McMillan (26-5) vs. Abigail Wagner, Athens (22-10); Veronica Guise, Cumberland Valley (21-4) vs. Maya Krieger, Bensalem (21-12); Olivia Shultz, Connellsville (19-13) vs. Kendall Wagner,
Central Mountain (18-4); Octavia Walker,
Norwin (29-8) vs. Sierra Ripka, Nanticoke Area; Gracie Halflich, Liberty (27-5) vs. Sarah Lynn, Big Spring (18-9)
190: Caroline Hattala, Quakertown (25-0) vs. Emily Smith, Delaware Valley (9-10); Aaliyah Armstrong, Central Dauphin (22-3) vs. Liliana Giulianelli, Peters Township (16-10); Davina Crump, South Western (18-5) vs. Abigail Hewitt, Norwin (21-9); Alyssa Favara, Bishop McCort (6-3) vs. Vida Torres, Pottstown (13-9); Natalie Rush, Canon-McMillan (31-2) vs. Jurelys Peguero, J.P. McCaskey (27-5); Grace Crestani, Bald Eagle Area (21-11) vs. Daniella Maxwell, North Penn (19-13); Isabella Gotschall, Jersey Shore (16-4) vs. Bryce Snyder, Palisades (16-5); Esmerelda Tellez, Reading (21-1) vs. Kailynn Purdy, Hickory (8-5)
235: Brenda Banks, Panther Valley (25-0) vs. Brooklynn Ayala, Penn Manor (25-7); Leah Nason, Athens (18-10) vs. Zoey Murphy, Southmoreland (12-6); Mylah Steinbuch, Bedford (18-1) vs. Miranda Kantoris, Greater Latrobe (13-8); Kayla Henderson, South Western (21-3) vs. Addyson Munro, Liberty (20-8); Alaina Claassen, Plum (20-2) vs. Zoey Lake, Wallenpaupack (18-8); Esther Reed, Big Spring (11-3) vs. MacKenna Atkinson, Souderton (27-4); Aja’nai Jumper, Cumberland Valley (21-4) vs. Peyton Fries, Quakertown (23-10); Jaidyn Mikulak, Honesdale (21-1) vs. Isabella Spotti, Forty Cherry (19-8)