Two-girl wrestling team takes 2nd in GMCs

BY KADEN BUCHALTER 

            Despite being the only two members of the girls wrestling team, senior Gabrielle Miller and sophomore Emma Sagi earned second place in the GMC Red Division Girls Wrestling team tournament on January 16. The two girls combined to score 40 points. 

            Sagi, a sophomore in her first year on the team, expressed that placing second is “a huge accomplishment.”  She said, “I had just started over the summer, and I feel I have learned a lot this year thanks to the team and Coach Post.” 

            The more experienced Miller, who took first place in her class by pinning her opponents in the semi-finals and finals, has seen so much individual success in the past that she took the impressive showing in the GMCs in stride. She said, “I started [wrestling] when I was four, and I’ve won four state titles in my youth and two in high school, so I would say I’ve accomplished quite a bit.”  

            With Miller as a model for success, Sagi has set high expectations for herself. She recently joined a club outside of school and said, “I plan to continue practicing year-round to keep improving. My goal is to make it to states.”  

            Sagi gives a lot of credit for her success to the support she receives. “Since my brother wrestles, my family knows a lot of people in the wrestling community, so I had lots of support throughout my season. Gabby Miller especially helped me out a lot through this learning process.” 

            Miller’s wrestling talent and leadership skills earned her the title of team captain for coed wrestling team. Not only is she successful, but she assists other wrestlers with their training and technique. “My technique is definitely more advanced than most of my opponents, and my mat sense awareness.”  

            Through most of the season, Miller wrestles against boys with the varsity team, but she also faces off against girls in the county and state tournaments. Miller expressed, “When I wrestle the girls, I am typically stronger than them, so my strength is an advantage along with my technique.” 

            Miller is currently ranked number one in the state in her class and has been ranked 16 in the country during her career, but she is not finished yet. “I still have the regional and state tournament to win.”  

            Both girls have worked hard to achieve their second-place finish in GMCs. Although they stand at opposite ends of their high school careers, they both have more to accomplish. 

Posted on 2/7/22 

Photos provided by John Post