On Saturday, February 17, the Whitewater Girls’ Wrestling Team traveled to Campbellsport to participate in the Girls’ Wrestling Sectional, all hoping to end up on the top of the podium in their weight class to punch their ticket to the Girls’ State Wrestling Tournament at the Kohl Center in Madison.
It was a great day filled with lots of excitement for the Whippet fans and the highs of highs and the lows of lows for the coaches as the day progressed. The day started outstanding for the Whippets with all 8 of the girls reaching the semi-finals. Starting the day off was Silvia Harris (107) who was competing against a girl she had lost to twice this season. She did not let that bother her as she was able to secure a pin. Just moments later Giulia Ristagno (126) drew a girl she had lost to 3 times this year. Coaches just told her that she was getting closer each time and to have confidence. Giulia came out with the first takedown putting the girl to her back and secured the pin. Also getting a first-round pin was Katie Rojas-Reyes (120) who wrestled very well in her opening match of the tournament.
The semi-final round was a lot of fun for the girls and the Whippet fans as there were lots of arms raised. At one point, the Whippets had a girl on their back on two mats right next to each other. Giulia Ristagno and A’lani Ross both got pins within five seconds of each other to really get the crowd in our section roaring! A’lani started her match showing just how strong she is by lifting the girl up on the edge of the mat, bringing her inbounds, and eventually pinning her. Also getting pins for the Whippet Girls were Ema Aranda (100), Lauren Buehler (114), and Marianna Kubicz (185). That put the team with 6 pins and 6 finalists to close out the round. Coming up short in the round included Silvia Harris who wrestled an extremely good girl who ended up easily winning her weight class. Also coming up short was Katie Rojas-Reyes. falling as well to the girl who ended up winning her weight class.
The finals started off very well for Whitewater as Ema Aranda battled back from a deficit but stayed patient and ended up pinning her opponent in the second period to secure her ticket to state. It was a very cool scene to see the first ones coming off the mat were her sister and Coach Gomez, her uncle, to celebrate the achievement.
Lauren Buehler followed, making fast work of her opponent with a 22 second takedown to secure her second trip to the state tournament. She knew coming in it was going to be a tough weight class, and it was exciting for the coaches to see her just push through and wrestle very well with two pins on the day.
Myia Cobbs had an interesting day as our 3rd girl to qualify for the state tournament. On Friday night we had prepared for a couple of girls whom she had seen before and did have success against but just wanted to clean things up for them. When weigh ins came around, neither girl was present and Myia got a default to the state tournament! She was excited, however did want to be on the mat pinning girls like her teammates!
Unfortunately, there were the lows coaches experience as the Whippets dropped two tough matches in the championship where they were close matches but came up just short. Giulia Ristagno (126), A’lani Ross (132), and Marianna Kubicz (185) each lost in the finals and are considered alternates for the state tournament with their runner-up finish.
Trackwrestling does keep unofficial team scores, and the Whitewater Girls were in first place at the end of the tournament! Well done, ladies!
The three qualifiers will compete in Madison at the Kohl Center at 3:00 on Thursday afternoon, February 22, in a sixteen-person bracket, looking to climb into the top 6 in the state for their weight classes.
Article Submitted by John Schimming
Whitewater High School Head Wrestling Coach
jschimming@wwusd.org
Photo courtesy of Kenzie Schimming
