BY JULIET KELLY
After making it to the quarterfinals for the state tournament last year, the team plans to work harder and come back better even with the addition of new team members. They ended last season with a record of 9-5, and many great wins.
The team will have to balance the loss of seniors with the gain of new members who bring additioinal potential, skill, and energy. “One of our captains graduated, a few girls aren’t returning this season, and we got a lot of new girls,” said Julia Berk.
The team features a new member from St Thomas Aquinas, Isabella Bonilla, who won her class in the GMC Tournament last year. “Well, considering this is my first year at Old Bridge, everything is new,” said Bonilla. “I can’t compare it to last year, but what I can say is that this team is very dedicated, hard-working, and pushing me to be a better wrestler every day.”
Each team member has actively looked for ways to improve. They have set expectations and worked on ways to return better this year as a team and individually. “I believe the best way for me to improve from last season is to work on my stamina and conditioning,” said Michayla Smith. “Also, to drill and practice the fundamentals.”
Senior and captain Sofia Sousa has started getting ready for this upcoming season. She received the title Upper Weight Outstanding Wrestler and made it to the quarterfinals last year. “My personal expectations are to place higher in regions and states and get my 100 wins,” said Sousa, who currently has 65 wins.
The Knights have their first match this Saturday in the Newton Duels. “We got a lot of new girls,” said Yuliana Hryn. “All of them are amazing, and I’m glad to be part of this team that I call family.”
Posted on December 9, 2025
Photos by Alexa Magrino, John Post, and Laila Mohamed-Ali
Knight Life 