BY ISABELLE MARMARA
The girls wrestling team has made an exceptional impact in the state while wrestling to a 9-4 record and winning the 2024 GMC Championship. The young program, will enter the NJSIAA Tournament ranked seventh in New Jersey.
Many of the girls placed in the GMC tournament, including Samantha Larkin, Sofia Sousa, and Adriana Farese, who took first place in their respective weight classes. “Our team’s biggest accomplishment was getting first place at GMCs,” stated Sousa, a sophomore with a 21-5 record this season. “The key has been hard work, motivation, and learning from past mistakes.”
Larkin, who has a 16-12 record as a junior, did not let her inexperience hold her back, placing first in her class. “I felt really accomplished and proud that all my hard work paid off,” shared Larkin. “Coming in as a first-year wrestler, I never expected to get as far as I did, and I’m glad that my coaches pushed me as hard as they did because it really paid off in the end.”
“Sam started this year and has already made some great strides this season. She came in not knowing anything about the sport to coming in first at GMCs. She’s learned a lot and we’re all very proud of her,” expressed senior Nuria Kojic. Kojic, Emma Sagi, and Jenna Magrino also helped lead the team to victory by reaching the finals in their classes.
The girls started the season strong in the first match of the season on December 16 at the Ron Mazzola Memorial Girls Wrestling Tournament. The team finished in second place, with Jenna Magrino, Emma Sagi, and Adriana Farese taking first. “My highlight of the season so far would be when I won the Ron Mazzola. Last year, I didn’t even get on the podium, so it felt amazing taking first!” voiced senior Farese.
On December 20, the team won a tri-meet over Saint Thomas Aquinas and Metuchen. “I would say the highlight of the season so far for the team was definitely beating St. Thomas Aquinas, a high ranked team,” stated Sagi, one of the senior leaders on the team.
On December 23, at the East Brunswick Lady Bears Invitational, the girls placed 11th out of 42 teams, and they continued their successful run-on December 29 when the team finished fourth overall out of 41 schools at the Rumble in the Pines Lakewood Girls Tournament. Sagi had an exceptional showing, placing first after beating 2023 state-ranked Pennsauken competitor Jada Pichardo. “Although it was a tough one, those are the matches I enjoy the most,” said Sagi.
At the Elizabeth Lady Minutemen Tournament, the girls placed fifth out of over 50 teams present. Emma Sagi won first place, earning the Lady Minuteman title, and Nuria Kojic finished second after defeating the number one and number four seeds. “Whenever I win, I feel in control. If I can win a hard match such as at this tournament, I feel as if I can accomplish anything else,” said Kojic. “Wrestling has bettered me both physically and mentally.”
Underclassman make up over half of the team, creating a reason to hope for continued success for the girls wrestling program. “I have my teammates to thank for much of my success this season because they always push me and make sure I’m doing the best I can,” said freshman Mackenzy Brennan, a first-year wrestler who has earned a 13-11 record.
The girls wrestling team continues to grow, going from two girls on the team during the 2021-2022 season to 19 girls in the 2023-2024 season. “From first years to girls with past experience, everyone is exceeding expectations and achieving personal goals and providing ample amounts of points for our team as a whole,” explained Sousa.
Upperclassmen continue to shape the program for the younger incoming players. “I loved the environment and the people I was surrounded by. I was given a family, and this wrestling program made me want to come back again this year for my second year” stated Magrino, a senior leader on the team who has accrued a remarkable 21-3 record. “This sport teaches you many lessons about life, yourself, and how to handle situations.”
Seniors Farese and Sagi both started wrestling through the high school program and excelled enough to participate in college. “Wrestling has been one of the best things I have ever done,” voiced Farese. “It has taught me many things and it makes me really happy.”
The girls both committed to wrestle at Ursinus College. “I have known for a while that I wanted to compete at a collegiate level, and I was so excited to be able to finally commit,” said Sagi.
Kojic also plans to wrestle in college at New Jersey City University. “I love it too much to quit now,” explained Kojic. “I want more time to develop my skills and further my training.”
For now, the girls have their sights set on Regionals, which will take place this Sunday. “There’s a lot of competition there, but I’m hoping to place in the top 4 and qualify for states,” said Larkin. “I think our girls team will have many girls placing during Regionals and that we have the talent to win as a team.”
Posted on 2/20/24
Photos by Michayla Smith
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