SE Seniors Win Tricia Saunders Award

The National Wrestling Hall of Fame on Wednesday announced the state winners of the Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award.

The award recognizes and celebrates the nation’s most outstanding high school senior female wrestlers for their excellence in wrestling, scholastic achievement, citizenship, and community service.  State winners are evaluated and selected on the basis of three criteria: success and standout performances and sportsmanship in wrestling; review of GPA and class rank,  academic honors and distinctions; and participation in activities that demonstrate commitment to character and community. 

The Southeast Region Award, which comprises Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina,  South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia will be awarded on April 25th along with the other region winners (West, Midwest, Central, and Northeast) with the national winner being announced May 2nd.

The National winner is chosen from each of the region winners and the SE has only ever won the national award once … in 2016 by Tennessee’s Katie Brock.

If you are interested in the 2022 award interviews - including our interview with each of simply a list of past winners from each state visit the Tricia Saunders Award page. If you are interested in the full list of winners visit either flowrestling or the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

The plan is to interview each of the award winners over the next few weeks … look for those interviews in the future.

Congrats to the 2023 SE Award Winners:

  • Alabama - Akerah Artis, Sparkman High School, Madison

  • Florida - Kealonie Vega, Osceola High School, Kissimmee, Gannon University

  • Georgia - Lilly Chavis, Jackson County High School, Jefferson

  • North Carolina - Jeulenea Khang, Freedom High School, Newton, University of Mount Olive

  • South Carolina - Caroline Gilstrap, Summerville High School, Summerville, McKendree University

  • Tennessee - Ella-Lina Gonzalez, Clarksville High School, Clarksville

Photo Credit: Amber Cloy

Photo Credit: Josh Bosken

Jason FulmoreComment