BY ANALISE SAINVIL
The girls wrestling team has built a 6-1 record through dominant dual and tournament performances, a stretch that later earned the program No. 6 ranking in New Jersey.
On December 18, the girls placed third at the GMC Championships with 180.5 team points in a tightly contested race, highlighted by Abby McSorley winning her class and Sofia Sousa finishing second in hers. “It showed us all of our hard work. We did not have people to put up points in every weight category due to people being out for injuries and sicknesses. We might not have done as good as we could’ve or wanted to,” said McSorley. “With what we had, we still walked away top three.”
The team wasted no time setting the tone, opening the season with a 42–27 victory over Bloomfield while recording multiple pins across the lineup. “We have been doing great,” said freshman Vanessa Taborda, who has pinned her opponent in three of her six dual matches.
That same day, the girls showed endurance and depth by earning a 42–30 win against Linden to finish the day undefeated. “We felt very accomplished after working very hard over the off-season and preseason,” said sophomore Isabella Yodice.
The momentum continued as the team secured a 41–30 victory over Newton, using early pins and bonus points to stay unbeaten. “Winning against Newton set expectations for our season and gave us the confidence to start our season off the right way,” said sophomore Abby McSorley, who has gone undefeated in dual matches this season.
The team followed with a 45–24 win over North Plainfield, reinforcing its No. 6 ranking through strong performances across the lineup. “I think it just showed our team that this sport isn’t just individual; it’s a team sport too,” said junior Madison Magrino, who has five wins in six dual meets.
The girls captured first at the Ron Mazzola Memorial Tournament on December 20 with 197 team points, highlighted by multiple podium finishes. McSorley and Sofia Sousa won their brackets; Isabella Bonilla placed second, Julia Berk, Michayla Smith, and Yuliana Hryn took third, and Magrino and Isabella Kay finished fourth. “The girls’ team won as a whole, and we had girls placing in almost every bracket,” said Yodice.
The wrestlers continued that momentum at the Elizabeth Lady Minuteman Tournament, finishing eighth out of 70 teams while competing without two starters in brackets featuring 40 to 50 wrestlers. “We learned what we needed to improve as a team and what we individually needed to work on to come back better and stronger,” said Bonilla.
As results continued to stack up, the team climbed higher in the statewide rankings through consistent dual wins and tournament performances. “It keeps us motivated because we are working our hardest to get that ranking higher,” said Taborda.
Confidence has also grown match by match, especially among newer wrestlers adjusting to the varsity level. “Their confidence is growing because they’re realizing what they are capable of doing,” said Magrino.
McSorley has played a key role in the team’s success, returning after injuries sidelined her last season and making this her first official year back on the mat. “This is her first year officially on the team, and she has been having an amazing season,” said Magrino.
Leadership from the team’s captains has helped guide the group through the early stretch of the schedule. “Probably our two captains, Sofia and Abby. Abby is 13–1 and has placed at every tournament this season, and Sofia has also placed at every tournament and is a previous state qualifier,” said Yodice.
The team continued its strong dual performances with a dominant 66–0 victory over St. Thomas Aquinas, controlling every match from start to finish. “We came out with intensity and aggression,” said Taborda.
Next, the girls will continue their season in the GMC Tournament this weekend, on the road at Ramsey on January 24, and at home against face Howell on January 27.
Posted on January 23, 2026
Photos by Analise Sainvil, Safija Shatku, and Kaylee Weingarten
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