NCHSAA girls wrestling: Wilmington representation grows ahead of state finals
Just a few years ago, girls wrestling wasn't an option at some Wilmington-area high schools. But the sport is seeing increased participation across the country, and the Wilmington area is no exception.
The N.C. High School Association will hold its final girls state invitational this weekend; it will become an official NCHSAA sport for the 2023-24 school year. Here's a look at the seven local competitors who advanced out of last weekend's regional competition, aiming for a championship this weekend in and around Greensboro.
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Laney
The area's deepest program to date, Laney has eight girls on its team this season, four of whom are competing at Saturday's tournament.
Sophomore Elaina Pollock returns as a frontrunner to take the title in the 185-pound division. As a freshman, Pollock made history for Laney, becoming the first female to win a title.
"When I was younger, I used to watch my brother wrestler so I was like, I want to be just like (him) so I started wrestling and loved it ever since," Pollock said.
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Pollock is 24-2 this season, losing only once and having one forfeit.
Fellow sophomore Katie Simmons, who has a 26-9 record this season, will join Pollock this weekend, wrestling in the 107-pound division.
Sophomore Ay'Seante Ross and freshman Mia Kiser round out the Laney girls competing at the invitational, something coach Andre Adams says has been a long time coming.
"We've seen a lot more interest and growth throughout the whole state, it's almost double what we had last year," Adams said. "The events are getting more coordinated and hopefully next year, with it being sanctioned, it will grow even more."
South Brunswick
Competing in the 100-pound division, Lily Prendergast has had another successful season for the Cougars. Entering Saturday's tournament with a 41-7 record, the junior is one of the area's most experienced female wrestlers.
She's the defending champion in this weight class and also qualified for the boys individual state tournament a season ago. Prendergast won the 107-pound title at the Swiss Bear Girls Classic at New Bern in December. The win included a victory over Laney's Simmons.
Ashley, Trask
Ashley's Alijah Christiansen and Trask's Lauren Hall will also compete Saturday. Christiansen will compete in the 185-pound division as the No. 4 seed from the East, while Hall will compete in the 132-pound division, where she is the No. 1 seed from the East with a record of 14-5.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: NCHSAA girls wrestling: Wilmington area's 7 state qualifiers
