A Fan's Guide to the North Carolina Girls State Tournament
Welcome to the Fan’s Guide for the North Carolina Girls State Tournament … a collaboration with Carolina Takedown Talk
Let’s begin by celebrating the fact that the NCHSAA has now officially sanctioned the girls state tournament in North Carolina. We will refer to some of last year’s “unofficial” results in talking about the weights below, but please be aware this is the first year it is official (took long enough NCHSAA). As a result, we are not going to take a look back at 2023 as a whole as we have done with the boys. Instead we are going to simply jump into this year’s Guide.
New to a Fan’s Guide by SEWrestle? Well here is our explanation of what you will see.
The Fan’s Guide is a look at the tournament as a whole and each individual weight class … from a fan’s perspective. But it is not a prediction of who will win or who will make the podium. In fact, a Fan’s Guide is a little different. It is a look at a few individual pieces from each bracket … they include:
The Field: every wrestler in the bracket with a few pieces of information (name, school, region and place). If a wrestler competed at last year’s “unofficial” state tournament - we have that listed as well. NOTE: This was created days before the tournament - any changes may not be reflected below.
Favorite: the wrestler that enters the tournament as a region champ and has the best shot to claim the top step.
Contenders: a wrestler that finishes 1st or 2nd at regions and has a decent chance to make the podium.
Darkhorse: a wrestler that finished 2nd, 3rd, or 4th at one of the region tournaments, but could make a run for the top step.
Bracketbuster: a wrestler that finished 3rd or 4th in their region, but could make a run for the podium.
Things to Know … exactly what it sounds like - things your average might want to know when looking at the bracket (any results are pulled from rankwrestlers.com or trackwrestling.com).
Isn’t that kind of a prediction?
Yes and no. I do identify the favorite, but beyond that I have no idea of who will march through the bracket and claim a title (don’t get me wrong - I’ve watched a lot of wrestling this season so I have an idea of what will happen). I could give you an educated guess about a possible finals match and who will make the podium, but in the world of high school wrestling that is dangerous territory. Few wrestlers (if any) are unbeatable … but we do have past results and past accomplishments on which to make a guess or two. In reality, I am as much of a fan as any of you and like to talk wrestling. I hope each athlete goes out and performs to her ability and we, as fans, get an opportunity to watch some great wrestling.
Remember the sole purpose of the website, twitter, instagram, fan’s guides, pictures, etc. is to promote the sport in the Southeast. Have a great time this weekend, enjoy the wrestling, and best of luck to everyone competing.
NOTE: ALL INFORMATION BELOW IS ASSUMING THAT THE INFORMATION INPUTTED INTO TRACKWRESTLING EITHER BY THE EVENT DIRECTOR OR THE COACHES AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SEASON IS CORRECT.
Team Notes
The table below is a list of every qualifier by school, along with their place. So we could talk about a number of different teams, but in reality there are just a handful that have enough to really make a run for a team title. They are discussed below the table.
This is the first official girls state tournament in North Carolina, but team races come down one thing … numbers. We could look back to last year’s tournament to get an idea of how numbers translate into state place, but given that not every school had a team and entered the regional tournaments we will refrain from doing that until we have more information. Regardless, we see this in the boys classification in North Carolina or the girls in other states … numbers matter.
But one huge caveat is … numbers do not guarantee anything. Qualify 10, but if all 10 go 0-2 at the state tournament then the team finishes with no points. More athletes mean more opportunities, but you still must capitalize on those opportunities in order to help your team to the top step. Another keep in mind … individual region placement (region champ vs. someone that finished 4th in a region) matters. Region seeding predicts State Placement - the higher you finished on the region podium - the more likely you are to finish on (or high on) the state podium. There are always outliers (what we call darkhorses or bracketbusters), but most state champs were region champs the week before.
So looking above at the teams (and their individuals) gives us a good sense of what might happen as it relates to the team race. Realistically there are 8 teams that could be in the hunt for a title (Swain County, Pinecrest, Swansboro, Croatan, and a few other teams have 3 qualifiers, but would probably need their 3 to make the podium and then get a lot of help from the teams above them). Here is a quick look at the 8 we think have the best shot:
Hoke County (7 qualifiers) - Strength: more qualifiers than any other team means you have more of a margin for error … they put 7 on the podium (regardless of where) they should win it. Challenge: No Region Champs. Champs predict State Placement and that means Hoke County will need their 4 runners-up to make the podium and the others to score points.
Havelock (6 qualifiers) - Strength: tied for the 2nd most qualifiers and 5 of the 6 finished either 1st or 2nd in the East. This is the team to beat in my opinion - simply because they have 5 (or maybe 6) that can make the podium (remember 4’s out of a region don’t make the state podium very often). Challenge: None really … the draw (which we don’t have as I am writing this) could make for some very important quarterfinal matchups - win those and the Rams are golden … lose them and they will need to get it done on the backside.
Jack Britt (6 qualifiers) - Strength: numbers plain and simple. 6 qualifiers - more than any team other than Hoke County puts them in a great spot. Challenge: Just 1 region champ and 2 runners-up. Lots of opportunities, but Jack Britt will either be in the hunt because their 3rd’s and 4th region placers come through in a big way or they will be battling with a lot of teams for a top 5 finish.
North Henderson (5 qualifiers) - Strength: 5 qualifiers with 4 having made the region finals. They, like Havelock, sit in a great spot to make a run for the title. Challenge: Same as Havelock - quarterfinals could be the marker of whether North Henderson is in the hunt or battling through the backside.
West Rowan (5 qualifiers) - Strength: West Rowan knows how to win close - as evidenced by their region title - and they will need that in order to top the teams listed above. Challenge: No region champs and just 2 region runners-up. 5 qualifiers is strong, but their crew will need to win some matches on the front side to stay close.
RJ Reynolds (5 qualifiers) - Same as West Rowan … they lost a close one for the region title, but have 5 that will battle.
Lumberton (4 qualifiers) - the only team with fewer than 5 qualifiers that has a real shot at a team title and Teresa Canady, Kyle Brigman, and Wyntergale Oxendine are the reason. All three won region and with region runner-up Janya Rolland this is one of the few teams that could have 4 semifinalists (if that happens then they are in the hunt).
Laney (4 qualifiers) - With 4 qualifiers - 2 of which are champs - Laney has a very outside shot at a team title. Everything would need to go in their favor and it is my opinion that they would need all 4 to make the podium to have a chance. Don’t get me wrong - they will be in the mix for a top 5 spot, but overcoming 2 or 3 wrestlers (remember Hoke County has 7 and Havelock and Jack Britt have 6) is going to be tough.
100 lbs.
The Field:
Anna Ockerman (Corinth Holders) - East 1st; 3rd in State at 100
Lillian Prendergast (South Brunswick) - East 2nd; 4th in State at 100
Khiry Reese (Rosewood) - East 3rd
Zainab Hijawi (South Central) - East 4th; SQ at 100
Isabella Crandall (Athens Drive) - Mideast 1st; SQ at 100
Azya Monroe (Hoke County) - Mideast 2nd; SQ at 100
Cherish Charley (Ragsdale) - Mideast 3rd; SQ at 100
Sienna Drumgo (Green Hope) - Mideast 4th
Jenevy Olande (Mount Airy) - Midwest 1st; SQ at 107
Hadley Perry (West Rowan) - Midwest 2nd
Jayda Spence-Barnes (Southwest Guilford) - Midwest 3rd; SQ at 100
Yeily Arreola Ruiz (Parkwood) - Midwest 4th
Morgan Repasky (McDowell ) - West 1st; 4th in State at 107
Yaleen Khang (Freedom) - West 2nd
Andrina West (Madison ) - West 3rd
Gracie Short (North Henderson ) - West 4th; SQ at 100
Favorite: Anna Ockerman (Corinth Holders)
Contenders:
Lily Prendergast (South Brunswick)
Isabella Crandall (Athens Drive)
Morgan Repasky (McDowell)
Jenevy Olande (Mount Airy)
Darkhorse: Hadley Perry (West Rowan)
Bracketbuster: Khiry Reese (Rosewood)
Things to know:
Prendergast and Ockerman have split this season with Ockerman getting the last win in the East Finals. Prendergast also has wins over Khiry Reese (East 3rd); Azya Monroe (Mideast 2nd), Morgan Repasky (West Champ); as well as solid wins over Rowland and Simons up at 107.
Ockerman’s only loss this year came to Prendergast at Gate City. She has wins over Hijawi and Reese from the East, as well as Azya Monroe.
Jenevy Olande enters unbeaten (from what I could find). She qualified a year ago up at 107 and won the midwest region title two weeks ago. It doesn’t look as if she has had the same level of competition that we’ve seen from Ockerman and Prendergast.
Repasky is the West Champ and is also a returning placer (taking 4th at 107). She lost to Prendergast at Gate City, but has wins over Khang, Short, and others.
Isabella Crandall is the Mideast Champ and is also a returning SQ. She wrestled much of the season at 107 - her only loss to someone in the 100 lb field is Zainab Hijawi back in early December (she avenged that loss at WRAL a week later). Crandall also has wins over Monroe, Drumgo, and others.
107 lbs.
The Field:
Katie Simmons (Laney) - East 1st; SQ at 107
Kaylum Mills (Croatan) - East 2nd; SQ at 107
Thalia Aguirre Gomez (Manteo) - East 3rd; SQ at 100
Makayla Wallace (Ayden-Grifton) - East 4th
Megan Rowland (Pinecrest) - Mideast 1st; 2nd in State at 107
Sara Warren (Hoke County) - Mideast 2nd; SQ at 114
Emily Jenkins (Green Hope) - Mideast 3rd;
Chasydi McRae (Western Harnett) - Mideast 4th
Jamie Hearl (Mount Airy) - Midwest 1st; 2nd in State at 100
Jasmyne Brown (East Rowan) - Midwest 2nd
Olyvia Brown (West Rowan) - Midwest 3rd
Makenzie Hutchins (R.J. Reynolds) - Midwest 4th
O`marzria Wright (West Caldwell) - West 1st; State Champion at 107
Liliana Zapote (North Henderson) - West 2nd; SQ at 107
Alicia Reyes (Hendersonville) - West 3rd
Sara Morgan (West Henderson) - West 4th
Favorite: O’Marzria Wright (West Caldwell)
Contenders:
Megan Rowland (Pinecrest)
Jamie Hearl (Mt Airy)
Katie Simmons (Laney)
Liliana Zapote (North Henderson)
Darkhorse: Sara Warren (Hoke County)
Bracketbuster: Thalia Aquirre Gomez (Manteo)
Things to know:
Ria Wright is the defending State Champion, but we haven’t seen her much on the mat this year. She won the West by injury default over Zapote (a returning State Qualifier)
Megan Rowland was 2nd to Wright a year ago at 107 and comes in with solid wins - a fall of East Champion Katie Simmons in December, falls or tech falls of Emily Jenkins and Sara Warren … she also has a loss at WRAL to Lily Prendergast,
Jamie Hearl is also a returning State Runner-up (down at 100). She has two losses this season, but both came to out of state hammers at the Beast of the East in Delaware. She has some solid wins over Addison Gore, Jasmyne Brown, and others, but like Wright hasn’t faced any of the other top 107’s this season.
Katie Simmons is a returning State Qualifier (one of 4 others in the field) and she won the East over Kaylum Mills. She also has wins over Aguirre Gomez, Addison Gore, Isabella Crandall, Sara Warren, Khiry Reese, and others. Her loss to Rowland means she won’t be the favorite, but she is certainly one to watch as she looks to knock off the other contenders.
Liliana Zapote is also a returning qualifier and her injury default loss to Wright in the West finals was her first loss in the state this season (she took a loss in Tennessee to Ellie Underwood of Symour), but otherwise has been outstanding in the state. She has solid wins over Sara Morgan, Jasmyne Brown, and others.
114 lbs.
The Field:
Kaitlynn Frank (Lejeune) - East 1st
Kate Simpson (Bunn) - East 2nd
Khaing Htway (New Bern) - East 3rd
Abigal Phillips (Croatan) - East 4th
Teresa Canady (Lumberton) - Mideast 1st; State Runner-up at 114
Addison Gore (Garner) - Mideast 2nd
Siena Palmisciano (Chapel Hill) - Mideast 3rd; SQ at 114
Sofia Ortiz (Panther Creek) - Mideast 4th
Leah Edwards (East Rowan) - Midwest 1st; State Champion at 114
Brooke Jackson (Mallard Creek) - Midwest 2nd; SQ at 114
Alejandra Cordero-Perez (R.J. Reynolds) - Midwest 3rd
Denise Hernandez (Elkin) - Midwest 4th
Betty Huntley (East Rutherford ) - West 1st; SQ at 120
Treyleigh Miller (Pisgah ) - West 2nd; SQ at 114
Neveah Perkins (Owen ) - West 3rd;
Riley Spencer (Enka ) - West 4th
Favorite: Leah Edwards (East Rowan)
Contenders:
Teresa Canaday (Lumberton)
Betty Huntley (East Rutherford)
Addison Gore (Garner Magnet)
Kaitlynn Frank (Lejeune)
Darkhorse: Brooke Jackson (Mallard Creek)
Bracketbuster: Siena Palmisciano (Chapel Hill)
Things to know:
I think most would like to see Edwards vs. Canaday again, but as I write this … we do not have the brackets - so who knows how it will play out.
Edwards is the defending State Champion; is unbeaten this season with a major decision win over Canaday at Boneyard in early January.
Canaday some quality wins on her record this season, but still hasn’t beaten Edwards. But Canaday (like Edwards) need to remained focused on their match. The field features Siena Palmisciano, Betty Huntley, Addison Gore, and others that will be looking to derail that potential matchup.
Kaitlynn Frank comes in 22-1 on the season with her only loss coming up at 120 to Ahriana Scales. She also has several quality wins on her record, but hasn’t faced Edwards, Canaday or some of the other top 114’s this season.
120 lbs.
The Field:
Skyla Simpson (First Flight) - East 1st
Ahriana Scales (Pasquotank County) - East 2nd; SQ at 114
Addison Vindigni (Cleveland) - East 3rd; 4th in State at 114
Trinitee Odom (Heide Trask) - East 4th
Kylie Brigman (Lumberton) - Mideast 1st
LilyAnn Blair (Union Pines) - Mideast 2nd
Isabella Hernandez (Jack Britt) - Mideast 3rd; SQ at 114
Jianna Gomez (Hoke County) - Mideast 4th
Hope Horan (North Surry) - Midwest 1st; 3rd in State at 114
Bailey Nimer (Mount Pleasant) - Midwest 2nd
Waylon Collins (West Rowan) - Midwest 3rd
Diya Dhananjay (Mallard Creek) - Midwest 4th; SQ at 114
Sydney Mark (Asheville) - West 1st; SQ at 114
Claire Buff (Chase) - West 2nd; SQ at 114
Kenzie Barrett (Draughn) - West 3rd
Levi Cook (Lake Norman) - West 4th
Favorite: Hope Horan (North Surry)
Contenders:
Sydney Mark (Asheville)
Skyla Simpson (First Flight)
Kylie Brigman (Lumberton)
Ahriana Scales (Pasquotank County)
Darkhorse: Bailey Nimer (Mount Pleasant)
Bracketbuster: Addison Vindigni (Cleveland)
Things to know:
Horan is the highest returning placer in the field after taking 3rd at 114 for Mt Airy in 2023. But don’t think she’s got it wrapped up - the field is deep with 5 returning qualifiers and State Placer Addison Vindigini (who was 4th to Horan last year).
Vindigni had to battle back through the backside of the bracket last week after losing to Simpson 7-3 in the quarters. She will be a tough opening match for one of the region runners-up right off the scales.
Brigman, Simpson, and Mark each won their regions and could take the top step. Simpson beat Vindigini and Scales two weeks ago, Brigman also has a win over Vindigni as well as a solid win over Lily Ann Blair and Mark avenged an earlier loss to Tinoco of North Henderson and beat Buff to take the West title.
Nimer is our darkhorse after avenging an earlier loss to Waylon Collins and then losing to Horan in the Midwest final.
126 lbs.
The Field:
Kamilah Brooks (Pasquotank County) - East 1st; 3rd in State at 126
Olivia Ready (Havelock) - East 2nd; SQ at 120
Charli Sommer (West Carteret) - East 3rd
Ella Friedman (Millbrook) - East 4th
Alfa G. Dominguez-Gutierrez (Cary) - Mideast 1st; State Champion at 126
DeAnna Fox (Green Hope) - Mideast 2nd; SQ at 126
Hannah Carty (Willow Spring) - Mideast 3rd
Katelin Lock (Jack Britt) - Mideast 4th
Kahlen Kuddie (A.L. Brown) - Midwest 1st; SQ at 126
Savannah Johnston (South Davidson) - Midwest 2nd
Milagros Garcia Olmedo (West Forsyth) - Midwest 3rd; SQ at 126
Morgan Jones (Parkwood) - Midwest 4th
Marisa Cole (Rosman ) - West 1st; SQ at 126
Emma Burnes (Smoky Mountain ) - West 2nd; SQ at 126
Nevaeh Montijo (East Gaston ) - West 3rd; SQ at 126
Naomi Vargas (Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy ) - West 4th
Favorite: Kamilah Brooks (Pasquotank County)
Contenders:
Alfa G. Dominguez-Gutierrez (Cary)
Marisa Cole (Rosman)
Kahlen Kuddie (A.L. Brown)
Olivia Ready (Havelock)
Darkhorse: DeAnna Fox (Green Hope)
Bracketbuster: Nevaeh Montijo (East Gaston)
Things to know:
The weight is headlined by returning State Champ Alfa Dominguez-Gutierrez and State Placer Kamilah Brooks. Brooks has beaten Dominguez-Gutierrez twice this season (WRAL and Jolly Roger - both by decision). Brooks pinned a good Olivia Ready in the East finals and has to be considered the favorite given her season.
Because we are writing this before the brackets have been released - the optimal thing for the Fan’s would be Brooks and Gutierrez on opposite sides of the bracket, but we will see.
Marisa Cole and Kahlen Kuddie are your other two region champs and both have experience - in fact, 7 wrestlers in addition to the two placers wrestled in the last “unofficial” tournament last season - so expect some hard fought matches at 126
132 lbs.
The Field:
Kennedie Snow (Havelock) - East 1st; SQ at 126
Marie Smith (Croatan) - East 2nd
Lauren Hall (Heide Trask) - East 3rd; 3rd in State at 132
Bella Murillo (Fike) - East 4th
Iyanna Crawford (Purnell Swett) - Mideast 1st; 3rd in State at 138
Jiselle Riley (Panther Creek) - Mideast 2nd
Kierra Rush (Hoke County) - Mideast 3rd
Yenny Hernandez Vences (Montgomery Central) - Mideast 4th
Danielle Dennis (East Davidson) - Midwest 1st; State Runner-up at 126
Bliss Joyce (Trinity) - Midwest 2nd; 4th in State at 132
Sally Alcantara (R.J. Reynolds) - Midwest 3rd
Danielle Smith (North Rowan) - Midwest 4th
Tasia Neadeau (Swain County ) - West 1st; SQ at 138
Lilli Denton (Hayesville ) - West 2nd; SQ at 126
Malie Turner (Brevard ) - West 3rd
Paulina Barrera-Vences (Bandys) - West 4th; SQ at 132
Favorite: Danielle Dennis (East Davidson)
Contenders:
Kennedie Snow (Havelock)
Bliss Joyce (Trinity)
Iyanna Crawford (Purnell Swett)
Tasia Neadeau (Swain County)
Darkhorse: Marie Smith (Croatan)
Bracketbuster: Lauren Hall (Heide Trask)
Things to know:
One of the deepest brackets in the tournament? Certainly with 4 returning State Placers and 4 returning State Qualifiers - you could make an argument that it is the deepest.
Danielle Dennis was 2nd last year and downed a solid Bliss Joyce (also a returning Placer) in sudden victory in the Midwest finals. Joyce’s losses this year are to Dennis and Snow and she has a nice win over Crawford at Gate City.
Dennis is our favorite, but in reality you could make an argument for Snow who has some monster wins (and her only loss coming to Ariyannah Parson of Virginia). Snow has beaten most everyone in the field except Dennis and Crawford who she has yet to face this season.
Watch the quarters - we don’t have the brackets as of this writing, but given the quality of the Region Runners-up - you can expect some outstanding matchups in the quarters, semis, and finals.
138 lbs.
The Field:
Brooke Zak (Currituck County) - East 1st
Isabella Campbell (Havelock) - East 2nd - SQ at 132
Lara Gonzalez (Millbrook) - East 3rd - SQ at 145
Bridgitte Westbrook (Swansboro) - East 4th - SQ at 132
Sumaiya Aamoud (Jack Britt) - Mideast 1st - 3rd in State at 145
Amelia Pranka (Terry Sanford) - Mideast 2nd
Jada Lebron (Hoke County) - Mideast 3rd
Piper Godsey (Pinecrest) - Mideast 4th
Moriah Antis (Cox Mill) - Midwest 1st
Brianna DeLeon (Weddington) - Midwest 2nd - State Champion at 132
Madelyn Korvink (Parkwood) - Midwest 3rd
Sophia Haferman (Hickory Ridge) - Midwest 4th
Lylah Cogdill (Swain County) - West 1st - SQ at 165
Nancy Perez Ortega (North Henderson) - West 2nd
Sarafina Blackwell (Hendersonville) - West 3rd
Kaya Brown (Brevard ) - West 4th - SQ at 145
Favorite: Brooke Zak (Currituck County)
Contenders:
Moriah Antis (Cox Mill)
Brianna Deleon (Weddington)
Lylah Cogdill (Swain County
Sumaiya Aamoud (Jack Britt)
Darkhorse: Isabella Campbell (Havelock)
Bracketbuster: Lara Gonzalez (Millbrook)
Things to know:
Zak returns after missing last season and has been a hammer all season. She is 28-0 with some quality wins. That said, she hasn’t wrestled the contenders chasing her - that will be something to watch.
The quarterfinals should be excellent - a region champ (remember this is being written before the brackets have dropped) will likely get returning State Champion Brianna Deleon after she took 2nd to Antis last weekend.
West Champ Lylah Cogdill has looked great this season with her only loss coming to Tennessee hammer Delilah Queen at Fandetti-Richardson. She beat Antis at Fandetti-Richardson, but hasn’t seen Deleon or Aamoud.
The loss to Cogdill was Antis’s only loss to an NC wrestler this season (her other loss came to Stephanie Noel of Virginia)
Aamoud is 32-1 with her only loss coming up at 145 to Natalie Titus - she also has a nice win (very early in the season) to Deleon.
This bracket could be a barnburner
145 lbs.
The Field:
Faith Bane (New Bern) - East 1st - SQ at 165
Natalie Titus (Havelock) - East 2nd - State Champion at 152
Ay`Seante Ross (Laney) - East 3rd - SQ at 152
Maggie Milbery (Swansboro) - East 4th - SQ at 145
Carmin Moore (Scotland County) - Mideast 1st
Alyssa Miller (Pine Forest) - Mideast 2nd
Mackenzie Lafever (Western Alamance) - Mideast 3rd
Jocelyn Shaffer (Overhills) - Mideast 4th
Gabby Akers (South Davidson) - Midwest 1st - State Runner-up at 138
Brooke Cribbs (West Rowan) - Midwest 2nd
Brooke Gladue (Cuthbertson) - Midwest 3rd
Tyashia Cleveland (Reagan) - Midwest 4th
Kaylah Evans (Bandys) - West 1st
Madeline Adrignola (Brevard ) - West 2nd
Lily Reese (T.C. Roberson ) - West 3rd
Judith Reynoso (Alexander Central ) - West 4th
Favorite: Gabby Akers (South Davidson)
Contenders:
Faith Bane (New Bern)
Natalie Titus (Havelock)
Kaylah Evans (Bandys)
Carmin Moore (Scotland County)
Darkhorse: Ay`Seante Ross (Laney)
Bracketbuster: Maggie Milbery (Swansboro)
Things to know:
Akers is unbeaten at 30-0 and is a returning State Runner-up at 138. She hasn’t faced Bane, Titus, of Moore this season so that is something to keep an eye on, but does have a win over Kaylah Evans
Faith Bane is 29-2 with a fall of returning State Champ Natalie Titus in the East Final. Her two losses this season came to Keira Rosenmarkle up at 152 and to Kaylah Evans.
Evans has beaten Bane and Moore and has a loss to Akers … hasn’t faced Titus this season
Titus is 35-2 on the year with a loss to Sophia Sutton and Bane.
152 lbs.
The Field:
Sophia Sutton (Swansboro) - East 1st; SQ at 138
Dayna Bland (Wakefield) - East 2nd; SQ at 145
Jymeia Nobles (Goldsboro) - East 3rd
Gabriela Vargus (Lejeune) - East 4th
Keira Rosenmarkle (Seaforth) - Mideast 1st; State Runner-up at 145
Sophia Ozanich (Jack Britt) - Mideast 2nd; SQ at 152
Latia Williams (Scotland County) - Mideast 3rd
Kadin Scott (Holly Springs) - Mideast 4th
Jadyn Magallanes (West Forsyth) - Midwest 1st; SQ at 165
Mallory Seymour (Mount Pleasant) - Midwest 2nd
Arvriel Douthit (R.J. Reynolds) - Midwest 3rd
Keilah Thomas (Cuthbertson) - Midwest 4th
Caleigh Suddreth (Lake Norman) - West 1st; State Champion at 145
Jayden Hutchison (East Wilkes) - West 2nd
Lily Flores (Avery County) - West 3rd; SQ at 152
Abrianna Risner (Stuart Cramer) - West 4th; SQ at 138
Favorite: Caleigh Suddreth (Lake Norman)
Contenders:
Keira Rosenmarkle (Seaforth)
Sophia Sutton (Swansboro)
Jadyn Magallanes (West Forsyth)
Sophia Ozanich (Jack Britt)
Darkhorse: Dayna Bland (Wakefield)
Bracketbuster: Lily Flores (Avery County)
Things to know:
152 could feature a rematch of last year’s 145 lb. state final with returning State Champion Caleigh Suddreth and last year’s runner-up Keira Rosenmarkle. Both are unbeaten this season.
Add in Swansboro hammer Sophia Sutton, a SQ at 138, who is 28-1 and her only loss to Brooke Zak and you’ve got the headliners.
Jadyn Magallanes won the Midwest region and is also a returning State Qualifier.
We are going with Suddreth as the favorite simply based on her beating Rosenmarkle a year ago … but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Rosenmarkle as the favorite especially given that Suddreth has been out much of the season.
165 lbs.
The Field:
Elaina Pollock (Laney) - East 1st; State Champion at 185
Kenley Riley (West Carteret) - East 2nd; 3rd in State at 152
Winston Yarborough (Cleveland) - East 3rd
Rohama Gebremichael (Wakefield) - East 4th; SQ at 165
Stephanie Diaz-Mendoza (Riverside) - Mideast 1st
Noelia Hipolito (Hoke County) - Mideast 2nd
Saoirse Moler (Pinecrest) - Mideast 3rd; SQ at 145
Savanah Oxendine (Purnell Swett) - Mideast 4th
Taylor Williams (East Forsyth) - Midwest 1st; 4th in State at 152
Aniyah Black (Piedmont) - Midwest 2nd; SQ at 145
Kelly Eason (Hickory Ridge) - Midwest 3rd; SQ at 138
Ni`Ima Nelson (West Rowan) - Midwest 4th
Jayden Holmes (Olympic) - West 1st; SQ at 165
Paloma Ramirez (Pisgah) - West 2nd; SQ at 152
Shya Watson (West Caldwell) - West 3rd
Shaylee Temple (Smoky Mountain) - West 4th
Favorite: Taylor Williams (East Forsyth)
Contenders:
Elaina Pollock (Laney)
Kenley Riley (West Carteret)
Jayden Holmes (Olympic)
Stephanie Diaz-Mendoza (Riverside)
Darkhorse: Paloma Ramirez (Pisgah)
Bracketbuster: Winston Yarborough (Cleveland)
Things to know:
Williams beat Pollock at Gate City Grapple in late December … as a result - she is the favorite. Williams is unbeaten this season, but will likely need to beat Pollock again to claim the state title.
Pollock is 33-1 with her only loss to Williams. She has wins over Riley, Hipolito and others and will look to climb to the top step in 2024 - she will likely need to avenge that earlier loss to claim the title.
Riley is 24-6 with multiple losses to Pollock, a loss to Rosenmarkle, Faith Bane, etc. So some outstanding competition that should prepare her for a run this weekend.
The field is full of returning State Qualifiers and the quarters promises to be an excellent round.
185 lbs.
The Field:
Amy Gilliams (South Central) - East 1st
Allyson Williams (Rosewood) - East 2nd
Kyndal Harris (Havelock) - East 3rd; SQ at 185
Ingrid Soto (Bunn) - East 4th
Lianna Davis (EE Smith) - Mideast 1st; SQ at 185
Janya Rolland (Lumberton) - Mideast 2nd
Victoria Shepherd (Jack Britt) - Mideast 3rd; SQ at 165
Saliyah Brooks (Seventy-First) - Mideast 4th; 3rd at 185
Olivia Gallimore (East Davidson) - Midwest 1st
Jordyn Cooper (R.J. Reynolds) - Midwest 2nd; SQ at 165
Haileigh Branscome (East Forsyth) - Midwest 3rd
Shavondra Tanner (Anson) - Midwest 4th
Franshesca Morales (North Henderson) - West 1st; State Runner-up at 165
Gabriela Roman Bruno (Smoky Mountain) - West 2nd; SQ at 165
Anasette Cooper (Swain County) - West 3rd; SQ at 185
Liliana Hoyle (Bessemer City) - West 4th; SQ at 235
Favorite: Franshesca Morales (North Henderson)
Contenders:
Olivia Gallimore (East Davidson)
Amy Gilliams (South Central)
Lianna Davis (EE Smith)
Gabriela Roman Bruno (Smoky Mountain)
Darkhorse: Jordyn Cooper (R.J. Reynolds)
Bracketbuster: Victoria Shepherd (Jack Britt)
Things to know:
Gallimore is unbeaten this season and just pinned her way to the Midwest Region title. She has two quality wins over Jordyn Cooper, but hasn’t wrestled any of the other region champs this year.
Although Morales has a loss to Gabriella Roman Bruno in early December - she is 23-1 and a returning State Runner-up and our favorite. She avenged that loss to Roman Bruno with a fall at in last week’s West final and has a nice win over Jayden Holmes of Olympic.
Amy Gilliams is similar to Morales in that she has just one loss on the year (in mid-December to Yarbrough) but has since avenged that loss. She also has some quality wins on the season, but like many of the others - hasn’t faced the top from the other regions yet.
Lianna Davis is one to watch … her only losses this season came up at 235 - one to returning State Runner-up Wyntergale Oxendine. She is also a returning state qualifier, but in the same refrain as we’ve said with the others … has yet to face the top 185’s from the other regions yet this season.
235 lbs.
The Field:
Nyema George (Havelock) - East 1st; SQ at 235
Alijah Christiansen (Ashley) - East 2nd; SQ at 185
Sophia Marshall (Rosewood) - East 3rd; SQ at 235
Leslie Barden (Laney) - East 4th
Wyntergale Oxendine (Lumberton) - Mideast 1st; State Runner-up at 235
Zaria Robinson (Hoke County) - Mideast 2nd
Ella Taylor (Cary) - Mideast 3rd
Priscilla Dewitt (Panther Creek) - Mideast 4th
Jenna Catania (Mount Tabor) - Midwest 1st; SQ at 185
Lauren Davis (Oak Grove) - Midwest 2nd
Alana Daugherty (West Cabarrus) - Midwest 3rd
ZyNeah Lopp (Lexington) - Midwest 4th
Ariana Flores (North Henderson) - West 1st; 4th in State at 185
Kimberly Talton (Madison) - West 2nd
Allison Sanders (North Iredell) - West 3rd
Abbi Stout (East Wilkes) - West 4th
Favorite: Wyntergale Oxendine (Lumberton)
Contenders:
Ariana Flores (North Henderson)
Nyema George (Havelock)
Jenna Catania (Mount Tabor)
Kimberly Talton (Madison)
Darkhorse: Zaria Robinson (Hoke County)
Bracketbuster: Allison Sanders (North Iredell)
Things to know:
Oxendine is the returning Runner-up at the weight. She is a perfect 37-0 on the season with wins over George, Robinson, Barden, and others.
Oxendine is the clear favorite, but the field is packed with quality 235’s looking to knock her off. Ariana Flores is 39-2 (one of those losses coming to her teammate at 185) and the other two Tennessee hammer Ella Murphey. She has wrestled both 185 and 235 this season and that could be her biggest challenge.
George, Talton, Catania and others are all quality 235’s and should be in the hunt as well. Keep an eye on Allison Sanders who finished 3rd in the West after falling to Talton. Her only other losses this year came to Oxendine and Olivia Gallimore.