William Tennent High Makes History With Girls Wrestling
WARMINSTER, PA —It was a first for William Tennent High School.
In a sport dominated over the years by men, the Girls Wrestling Team has made its mark in the Centennial School District.
In December, the high school’s Girls Wrestling Team made history when they participated in their first tournament as a PIAA-sanctioned team.
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Yasmina Ergashova recorded the first takedown and back points plus a fall. The fastest fall of the day was recorded by Brianna Rodriquez in 0:34 seconds.
The first championship match won was by Anjaleen Siddiqui. Alyssa Crespo came in second.
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As a team, the girls also finished in 4th place with 81 points out of 14 teams.
Anajaleen Siddiqui picked up 2 falls and a decision and avenged a defeat from last year with a decision in the finals, Angelica Crespo said in a tournament report to Patch.
William High School student Teagan Noll, Class of 2025, recently reported on the team to the Centennial School Board at a recent meeting.
“The William Tennent’s Girls Wrestling team is one of many examples of schools in the nation now promoting girls’ wrestling and gaining attention,” Noll said.
Like any other team, the 11 girls have competed by going to tournaments, duals, and matches. With gaining titles like 4th at the first tournament of their season (PA National Guard Invitational) and 3rd at the popular Ralph Wetzel Classic, the team has helped showcase the hidden talent in girls wrestling.
The girls also participated in their first official dual meet at Cheltenham on Jan. 17, winning 30-16, with Karina Pavlichka winning by pin.
The team also recently participated in the first girls D1 and D12 Districts.
The tournament was held at William Tennent, with 48 schools attending. Overall, the team placed 5th, with 4 wrestlers going to regionals: Irelynn Cahoone (placing 5th), Meghan Gottschall (placing 3rd), Anjaleen Siddiqui (placing second), and Alyssa Crespo (placing fourth).
The girls are competing at regionals in hopes of clinching their chance to compete at states.
“Working immensely hard at practices has led to their success,” Noll said. “Endless runs, vigorous workout stations, and never-ending drills led to the girls’ overwhelming motivation to persevere. Working in the same room as the boys hasn’t been the easiest, but it has shown the unity that wrestling can offer.”
“The blood, sweat, and tears that have been put into this sport showcase the effort the girls dedicate to this sport,” Taylor Mazzoni, a senior wrestler on the team, said.
(Photos Courtesy of Angelica Crespo)
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