McKeel girls wrestling wins inaugural districts title with 5 individual champions
In the first year of FHSAA-sanctioned girls wrestling, McKeel created history by winning the inaugural Class 1A, District 8 wrestling tournament on Wednesday at George Jenkins High School.
The Wildcats finished with a score of 134 points with five champions. Mulberry was second with 71 points and three champions, Lake Region placed third with 53 points and one champion, Lake Wales took fourth with 38 points and two champions, and Lake Gibson was fifth with 22 points and a single champion.
Auburndale (16), George Jenkins (12), Lakeland (9) and Kathleen rounded out the rest of the places.
McKeel freshman Margo Menge (115, 23-6) was a champion, pinning Lake Region freshman Yalexza Platon (5-3) in the first-place match.
"It was very exciting because we are the first girls to wrestle and win a girls district title in the state of Florida," Menge said. "I’m honored to be the first girls district champion in the 115 weight class, and it only makes me want to chase a state title more.”
Also for McKeel, freshman Madyson Donnelly (120, 15-15), eighth-grader Gabriella Horne (125, 17-19), freshman Angelyn Glazier (135, 36-5) and sophomore Kaelynn Crowder (235, 1-6) won district titles by default due to being the only wrestlers in their respective weight classes.
Three other McKeel wrestlers finished in second place: sophomore Madelyne Helms (100, 21-9), eighth-grader Maranda Borglund (110, 19-13) and sophomore Jenna Gerzenshtein (145, 11-8).
“Today was amazing, exciting, and a little stressful," Helms said. "Knowing that I had to wrestle Gabby (Tedesco) from Lake Gibson, who is No. 2 in the state. I knew as a seventh-grader I needed to give 110%. Although the outcome wasn’t what I would have hoped for, it was an honor to have the opportunity to wrestle someone at her level and I hope to be there one day too.”
Borglund said districts were absolutely mesmerizing.
“Today made me very happy to wrestle and be a part of making history in Florida girls wrestling," Borglund said. "It was also nerve-racking knowing that what we did today will forever be written in the history of girls wrestling. I had really good competition and it was a true honor to wrestle such great athletes as an eight-grader. I know they are older and more experienced but I enjoy competing and learning from them.”
Mulberry's Colon, Hendrix nab championships
Junior Mayangeliw Colon (110, 14-2) was the top wrestler in her weight class after pinning Borglund.
Freshman Hallie Hendrix (130, 4-7) took the title as the only girl in her weight class.
Sophomore Kira Hendrix (170, 11-4) pinned Lake Region senior Jasmine Dorsey (2-3) in the first-place match.
Senior Martina Strom (100, 4-4) finished third.
"Super excited for them," Mulberry head coach Chris Dangle said. "When we had that talk with them and they kicked it in gear, I knew we were going to show good results. And we came out, we wrestled. The ones that got to wrestle wrestled tough."
Lake Wales crowns two champions
Lake Wales sophomore Jennah Mustafa (27-1) pinned McKeel's Gerzenshtein in the 145-pound title match.
Freshman Andrea Larin took first by default.
"The first-ever FHSAA girls district 1A-8 was exciting to even think about it," Lake Wales head coach Curtis Gibson said. "We have two girl wrestlers who won their weight class. Congratulations to Jennah Mustafa and Andrea Larin. Let's go Lake Wales.
"As the head coach, I am very excited for the girls season this year. We (the wrestling advocates) have been trying to get this done for a long time. It will only get better from here as it grows."
Lake Gibson's Tedesco (100, 27-1) notched first place after pinning Helms. Lake Region junior Gabrielle Willis (140, 3-7) took home the championship by default. And Auburndale's Sariana Jones (155, 15-5) also won by default.
Top 4 wrestlers
Other Polk County wrestlers in the top four were George Jenkins junior Anna Murawski (110, 1-1, third), Lake Region freshman Chelsea McLaughlin (110, 0-5, fourth), and Lakeland junior Cameron Coker (115, 0-1, third).
"I'm extremely proud of Anna," George Jenkins head wrestling coach Gavin Osborn said. "She bounced back and took third place after losing her opening match. That opening match loss could've been nerves, but we were winning and got put to our back late in the second and ended up losing. She bounced back in the third-place match and took the girl down and pinned her within 10 seconds. Moving forward, we're going to have to work towards implementing our offense in a match. We want to have the 'go-and-get-it' mentality."
Area wrestlers will gear up for the regional tournament slated for Feb. 18 at Osceola High School. Weigh-ins are noon.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: McKeel girls wrestling wins inaugural districts title with 5 individual champions
