Morgan Hyland found herself in an unusual situation in Sunday’s 112-pound final at the District 11 Girls Wrestling Championships.
Easton’s standout sophomore could not get to her offense in the first period against Southern Lehigh’s unbeaten Xuan Graham and eventually found herself trailing after the first two minutes.
Hyland found her footing in the second period, getting a takedown to tie the match, but then got buried under Graham throughout the third.
Fortunately, Hyland’s motor was rewarded with a takedown midway through overtime to win 6-3.
“The first period was rocky,” she said. “But my coaches always tell me that it’s not how you start, that it’s how you finish. I think I showed that tonight.”
Hyland was a 106-pound champion last year before finishing second at the Southeast Regional and PIAA championships. She had three first-period pins in this year’s district tournament before running into Graham for the first time in two years.
The matchup of unbeatens lived up to the billing, with points hard to come by and Graham scrambling well out of two solid shot attempts by Hyland before the Red Rover was able capitalize in sudden victory.
“All that was going through my mind in overtime was that this was what I trained for all year,” Hyland said. “I knew I could do this. I got the shot, rushed it a little bit but it all worked out OK.”
Hyland was among four repeat champions. Nazareth’s Chelsea Dressler (100), Emmaus’ Olivya Kroope (155) and Panther Valley’s Brenda Banks (235) were the others.
Dressler had the fastest of the nine pins in the finals with a 20-second job on Emmaus freshman Nitzana Jamaica.
Kroope had the finals’ only technical fall, 16-0, over Pocono Mountain West’s Chloe Straub in 4 minutes, 37 seconds.
Panther Valley’s Brenda Banks was named the District 11 Girls Wrestling Championships’ most outstanding wrestler Sunday at Freedom’s Joseph J. McIntyre Gymnasium. (Tom Housenick/The Morning Call)
Banks had three pins totaling 3:06 to win her third consecutive district title. The senior, 30-0 this season with 25 pins, was named the tournament’s most outstanding wrestler.
East Stroudsburg South coach Randy Litts was voted District 11’s girls coach of the year. (Tom Housenick/The Morning Call)
East Stroudsburg South’s Randy Litts was voted the district’s coach of the year. The Cavaliers had two champions, Arianna Pieretti at 130 and Joey Cappa at 118, and a pair of third-place finishers to take third in the team race with 117.5 points.
Parkland girls won the District 11 girls wrestling team title on Sunday with 225 points. (Tom Housenick/The Morning Call)
Parkland won the team title with 225 points, including champions Peyton Schneck at 106, Angelina Spachman at 136, Natalie Deutsch at 148 and Liz-Karla Grullon Vasquez at 190. Nazareth was second with 130.5.
Top three in each weight class advance to next Sunday’s Southeast Regional tournament at Quakertown.
Pine Grove’s Aubrey Graeff, a third-place finisher at 235, won the pinner award with five falls totaling 4:15. Her only loss was to Banks.
Grullon Vasquez was among four returning district runners-up to reach the finals again. Two joined her on the top of the podium Sunday: Pine Grove’s Geanna Lemke at 142 and Palisades’ Bryce Snyder at 170.
Pocono Mountain East’s Elaina Mercadante was second again at 124, losing to Southern Lehigh’s Mai Graham, Xuan’s older sister.
Hyland said she is grateful to Ryan Pomrinca and the rest of the Easton coaching staff for helping her navigate this season as the team leader after learning last year from state champion Aubre Krazer, now an unbeaten freshman at Lehigh.
The sophomore has improved in all facets of her game and handled the additional responsibility in the room. That was needed in Sunday’s final.
“I had to go through this alone because Aubre is gone,” Hyland said. “She, honestly, was a such a huge help for me, an inspiration to me. Not having her is a big change in the room. We were so close. Now I’ve had to step up. I’m excited to see what the rest of the season brings.”
Deutsch has seen her season change in the last couple weeks since she dropped from 155 to 148 pounds.
The EPC runner-up at 155 produced four pins to capture 148 gold, including a fall in 3:27 in the final over Pocono Mountain West’s Glory Joledo.
“My strength, I feel just so much stronger at 148,” Deutsch said, “so even if someone has technique over me, I can just muscle my way.”
Deutsch gave a takedown late in the first period to Joledo, but then got a reversal and eventually the fall to improve on her sixth-place finish last year at 155.
“After EPCs we decided to drop” to 148, she said. “Last year at districts, I wasn’t in the right head space. This year, I came into it feeling a lot better and just felt good the whole day. I was very defensive last year, so I was trying to dictate my match more this year. That definitely helped a lot.”
Snyder was second the last two years. Last year, she won Southeast Regional gold and PIAA silver. Those experiences, as well as those when she was a raw newcomer, helped fuel a senior season in which she’s 32-1 with 27 pins.
She capped off her first district title with an 11-0 major decision over Panther Valley’s Alisa Williams.
“I’ve been working a lot on my technique as well as improving my gas tank coming into districts this year,” Snyder said. “I feel more relaxed and confident. There’s been a lot of progress.”
Snyder has 93 career wins entering regionals.
Senior writer Tom Housenick can be reached at thousenick@mcall.com.
District 11 Girls Wrestling Championships
Sunday at Freedom’s Joseph J. McIntyre Gymnasium
FINALS
100: Chelsea Dressler (Naz) pinned Nitzana Jamaica (Em), 0:20
106: Peyton Schneck (Par) pinned Nalia Rodriguez (D), 1:49
112: Morgan Hyland (Ea) dec. Xuan Graham (SL), 6-3 SV
118: Joey Cappa (ESS) pinned Danielle Williams (Ea), 2:39
124: Mai Graham (SL) pinned Elaina Mercadante (PME), 3:36
130: Arianna Pieretti (ESS) pinned Maiya Lang (Ea), 3:47
136: Angelina Spachman (Par) dec. Myla Good (Naz), 4-1
142: Geanna Lemke (PG) pinned Anna Trelease (NL), 1:39
148: Natalie Deutsch (Par) pinned Glory Joledo (PMW), 3:27
155: Olivya Kroope (Em) tf. Chloe Straub (PMW), 16-0, 4:37
170: Bryce Snyder (Pali) md. Alisa Williams (Panther), 11-0
190: Liz Karla Grullon-Vasquez (Par) pinned Rieleigh Purcell (PG), 3:27
235: Brenda Banks (Panther) pinned Karla Montes de Oca (A), 1:28
THIRD-PLACE MATCHES
100: Cambria Leshko (SL) tf. Arianna Thomas (Str), 15-0, 2:50
106: Fiona Clare (ESS) dec. Joelys Matos Nunez (Executive), 9-3
112: Nevaeh Colon (Wil) dec. Kendal Balkam (Naz), 8-2
118: Mia Renda (Pali) dec. Lily Snook (Par), 7-2
124: Carolyne Katz (PA) pinned Marissa Fogel (Nor), 2:34
130: Kamora Gilbreath (PME) pinned Jedah Canty (Fr), 2:08
136: Jadeyn Learn (ESS) dec. Kennedy Quinn (Leh), 12-6
142: Laura Volpe (Par) pinned Olivia Applewhite (Str), 0:47
148: Ellia Sales (Ea) pinned Alexis Horvath (Fr), 4:39
155: Abrianna Gomez (Par) pinned Ashlie Montano-Giron (Cat), 4:15
170: Esmeralda Serrano (Cat) dec. Emily Siglin (Par), 8-6
190: Anaiz Espinal (Cat) pinned Kailey Evans (Leh), 1:19
235: Audrey Graeff (PG) pinned Kiera Rickard (Nor), 1:58
SEMIFINALS
100: Chelsea Dressler (Naz) pinned Cambria Leshko (SL), 1:49; Nitzana Jamaica (Em) pinned Ka’Ren-is Holmes (NS), 0:54
106: Peyton Schneck (Par) pinned Joelys Matos Nunez (Executive), 3:04; Nalia Rodriguez (D) pinned Emilee Gaughran (Nor), 3:03
112: Morgan Hyland (Ea) pinned Maura Case (NWL), 1:28; Xuan Graham (SL) pinned Nevaeh Colon (W), 3:25
118: Joey Cappa (ESS) pinned Arianna Stallworth (Cat), 4:25; Danielle Williams (Ea) dec. Lily Snook (Par), 6-3
124: Mai Graham (SL) pinned Paige Roman (ESS), 1:02; Elaina Mercadante (PME) pinned Carolyne Katz (PA), 4:28
130: Maiya Lang (Ea) dec. Kamora Gilbreath (PME), 11-7; Arianna Pieretti (ESS) dec. Jedah Canty (Fr), 10-5
136: Angelina Spachman (Par) pinned Kierha Castillo (Lib), 5:01; Myla Good (Naz) pinned Jadeyn Learn (ESS), 2:48
142: Geanna Lemke (PG) pinned Lidia Whistleon (Lib), 4:35; Anna Trelease (NL) pinned Laura Volpe (Par), 3:24
148: Natalie Deutsch (Par) pinned Alexis Horvath (Fr), 4:41; Glory Joledo (PMW) pinned Jordyn Kollien (Str), 2:52
155: Olivya Kroope (Em) pinned Abrianna Gomez (Par), 2:51; Chloe Straub (PMW) pinned Ashlie Montano-Giron (Cat), 5:37
170: Bryce Snyder (Pali) won by forfeit; Alisa Williams (Panther) dec. Jasmine Chapman (Str), 4-2
190: Liz Karla Grullon-Vasquez (Par) pinned Charlotte Sampson (Fr), 2:26; Rieleigh Purcell (PG) pinned Olivia Brisebois (PME), 3:52
235: Brenda Banks (Panther) pinned Jocelynn Cervenka (PV), 0:48; Karla Montes de Oca (A) dec. Nicole Jennings (Palm), 9-6
CONSOLATION SEMIFINALS
100: Cambria Leshko (SL) md. Leila Matejcek (Lib), 10-1; Arianna Thomas (Str) dec. Ka’Ren-is Holmes (NS), 5-1
106: Joelys Matos Nunez (Executive) pinned Paige Kibler (Palm), 2:52; Fiona Clare (ESS) pinned Emilee Gaughran (Nor), 1:23
112: Kendal Balkam (Naz) dec. Maura Case (NWL), 5-3; Nevaeh Colon (Wil) pinned Kiely Kunkel (Tam), 1:38
118: Mia Renda (Pali) pinned Arianna Stallworth (Cat), 2:22; Lily Snook (Par) pinned Taylor Sipel (Nor), 2:28
124: Marissa Fogel (Nor) pinned Paige Roman (ESS), 4:08; Carolyne Katz (PA) dec. Eva Trujillo (Lib), 7-3
130: Kamora Gilbreath (PME) pinned Dorothy Elko (Str), 3:44; Jedah Canty (Fr) pinned Kendra Cressman (Lib), 3:59
136: Kennedy Quinn (Leh) md. Kierha Castillo (Lib), 11-3; Jadeyn Learn (ESS) pinned Kiara Altamirano Vera (Executive), 0:43
142: Olivia Applewhite (Str) pinned Lidia Whistleon (Lib), 3:47; Laura Volpe (Par) pinned Haily Laible (Em), 0:50
148: Alexis Horvath (Fr) dec. Ariana Koberlein (Em), 7-6; Ellia Sales (Ea) pinned Jordyn Kollien (Str), 3:38
155: Abrianna Gomez (Par) pinned Isabella Altemose (PV), 1:58; Ashlie Montano-Giron (Cat) pinned Anelia Bennick (Panther), 0:48
170: Emily Siglin (Par) won by forfeit; Esmeralda Serrano (Cat) pinned Jasmine Chapman (Str), 0:18
190: Kailey Evans (Leh) pinned Charlotte Sampson (Fr), 3:14; Anaiz Espinal (Cat) tf. Olivia Brisebois (PME), 15-0, 1:49
235: Kiera Rickard (Nor) pinned Jocelynn Cervenka (Panther), 2:36; Audrey Graeff (PG) pinned Nicole Jennings (Palm), 0:43
THIRD-ROUND CONSOLATIONS
100: Leila Matejcek (Lib) pinned Juliana Noe (Nor), 2:44; Arianna Thomas (Str) md. Taya Daniels (Par), 13-3
106: Paige Kibler (Palm) md. Lillian Erbrick (Em), 18-5; Fiona Clare (ESS) dec. Adrianna Raschilla (Naz), 9-2
112: Kendal Balkam (Naz) pinned Koralyz Feliciano (PME), 1:54; Kiely Kunkel (Tam) dec. Domaris Arias (A), 7-2
118: Mia Renda (Pali) pinned Lilly Kuhs (Naz), 2:06; Taylor Sipel (Nor) dec. Autumn Martin (PG), 7-6
124: Marissa Fogel (Nor) pinned Samantha Eisenhauer (PG), 1:42; Eva Trujillo (Lib) dec. Saige Rittenhouse (Par) 7-4
130: Dorothy Elko (Str) pinned Kayla Perez (PMW), 1:33; Kendra Cressman (Lib) dec. Madison Monberger (Cat), 10-3
136: Kennedy Quinn (Leh) tf. Ella Gerzack (SL), 17-1, 4:00; Kiara Altamirano Vera (Executive) md. Brynn Koberlein (Em), 13-2
142: Olivia Applewhite (Str) pinned Nickayla Tomsic (Palm), 1:34; Haily Laible (Em) md. Jasmine Donello (Naz), 8-0
148: Ariana Koberlein (Em) pinned Adrianna Heckman (Naz), 2:38; Ellia Sales (Ea) pinned RaeLee Klaver (Ban), 2:44
155: Isabella Altemose (PV) pinned Amelia Zachmeyer (Naz), 1:31; Anelia Bennick (Panther) pinned Amilex Bernardini (Lib), 2:03
170: Emily Siglin (Par) dec. Jocelyn Vargas (Em), 2-0; Esmeralda Serrano (Cat) pinned Grace Brewer (Ban), 1:32
190: Kailey Evans (Leh) md. Kayla Smith (A), 11-0; Anaiz Espinal (Cat) md. Emiko Lucas (NL), 10-1
235: Kiera Rickard (Nor) dec. Ny’Zaiah Wyman (Fr), 4-0; Audrey Graeff (PG) pinned Brianna Gold (Naz), 0:27
SECOND-ROUND CONSOLATIONS
100: Juliana Noe (Nor) dec. Mya Jimenez (ESS), 1-0; Leila Matejcek (Lib) pinned Kiersen Echternach (PG), 1:48; Taya Daniels (Par) dec. Sofia Amorim (Palm), 9-4; Arianna Thomas (Str) dec. Shyanne Escoto (PMW), 5-4
106: Lillian Erbrick (Em) pinned Maddy Fetterolf (NS), 2:12: Paige Kibler (Palm) pinned Leilani Matias (Fr), 3:38; Adrianna Raschilla (Naz) pinned Doh Nay Kaw (A), 2:41; Fiona Clare (ESS) dec. Molly Haubert (Pali), 6-3
112: Koralyz Feliciano (PME) pinned Sadie Sedlock (Lib), 2:09; Kendal Balkam (Naz) pinned Payton Ocasio (Par), 4:12; Kiely Kunkel (Tam) md. Ava Wickemeyer (Fr), 13-3; Domaris Arias (A) dec. Danielle Rivera (Em), 3-0
118: Mia Renda (Pali) pinned Mia Guy (Leh), 1:45; Lilly Kuhs (Naz) pinned Taylor Hawkins (PV), 4:54; Taylor Sipel (Nor) pinned Amelia Spino (Panther), 2:55; Autumn Martin (PG) pinned Zoey Rivera (Str), 3:49
124: Samantha Eisenhauer (PG) dec. Autumn Khuu (NL), 7-6; Marissa Fogel (Nor) pinned Emilie Capron (Naz), 3:17; Saige Rittenhouse (Par) pinned Erin Talmadge (BVM), 1:14; Eva Trujillo (Lib) pinned Cassidy Merkel (Palm), 4:50
130: Dorothy Elko (Str) pinned Gabriela Chevere (Nor), 1:31; Kayla Perez (PMW) dec. Leila Palmieri (Par), 4-0 SV; Kendra Cressman (Lib) pinned Sarah Lysinger (Em), 2:56; Madison Monberger (Cat) won by forfeit
136: Ella Gerzack (SL) pinned Jessenia Lucas-Collis (Nor), 4:42; Kennedy Quinn (Leh) dec. Elsia Trotter (Str), 7-0; Brynn Koberlein (Em) pinned Jaslin Feliz (Wh), 4:02; Kiara Altamirano Vera (Executive) md. Lea Schaible (Palm), 16-2
142: Olivia Applewhite (Str) pinned Isabella Wickberg (ESS), 0:46; Nickayla Tomsic (Palm) pinned Tayla Seiders (Pot), 1:24; Haily Laible (Em) pinned Lauren Feinour (NWL), 1:28; Jasmine Donnello (Naz) pinned Emilynn Stipeck (PV), 2:38
148: Ariana Koberlein (Em) pinned Sophia Papay (NL), 4:38; Adrianna Heckman (Naz) pinned Josie Fetterman (PV), 1:36; Ellia Sales (Ea) pinned Samiyah Gomez (A), 2:08; RaeLee Klaver (Ban) pinned Fikirselam Alemayehu (Wh), 3:41
155: Isabella Altemose (PV) pinned Lailah Jorge (Ban), 0:35; Amelia Zachmeyer (Naz) md. De’Ja Gold (NL), 17-3; Anelia Bennick (Panther) won by forfeit; Amilex Bernardini (Lib) dec. Breonna Zelinski (Mah), 14-11 SV
170: Emily Siglin (Par) pinned Evelyn Gualpa Saiteros (Wil), 0:28; Jocelyn Vargas (Em) tf. Aubrey Davison (Naz), 17-1, 3:00; Esmeralda Serrano (Cat) pinned Celeste Gildenguys (Ea), 4:41; Grace Brewer (Ban) pinned Alivia Reed (Leh), 3:56
190: Kailey Evans (Leh) pinned Ellie Rumbalski (Lib), 2:32; Kayla Smith (A) pinned Josie Economy (NS), 2:47; Emiko Lucas (NL) won by forfeit; Anaiz Espinal (Cat) pinned Karley Martinez (Wil), 1:38
235: Ny’Zaiah Wyman (Fr) pinned Analise Velez (Wil), 1:58; Kiera Rickard (Nor) dec. Scarlett Bareither (Par), 5-2; Brianna Gold (Naz) pinned Sydney Johnson (Lib), 0:28; Audrey Graeff (PG) pinned Madison Baksalary (JT), 0:43
