Danielle Coughlin becomes first girl to win individual state wrestling title in Mass. history
History was made in Massachusetts when a girl won an individual state wrestling title for the first time in state history. Even more Danielle Coughlin’s individual victory set the stage for a team crown as well, landing the senior two state titles in one of her final meets.
As reported by the Boston Globe and Boston Herald, among other sources, North Andover (Mass.) High senior Danielle Coughlin captured the MIAA Division 2 state title in the 106-pound weight class when she knocked off Winchester (Mass.) High star Jordan Darby, 5-3, in the class’ final bout. According to the Globe, Coughlin dominated the match throughout a majority of its three periods and won convincingly, setting the stage for another state title for the wrestling powerhouse.
“Going into [the match], I knew it was up to me not just individually but for my team to come out as state champs,” Coughlin told the media after her historic victory. “Coach was counting on me to start things off.
“I had a little advantage; I’ve been in this atmosphere before. There’s a lot of pressure when yours is the only match going on and everyone is watching. Being familiar with the setting was an advantage.”
By the end of the meet, North Andover’s advantages were undeniable. The Scarlet Knights raced to victories in four more individual state title bouts, clinching a state crown behind Coughlin’s lead.
“We knew going into Danielle’s match that she was the key to us winning. If she didn’t win, we would have still had a chance [to come back] but one of our guys would have needed a pin,” North Andover coach Carl Cincotta told the Globe.
For her part, Coughlin made it clear that it was the team crown that was more important to her, a fitting final epitaph for any true prep wrestler, let alone one who had just pulled off one of the most historic achievements in prep wrestling in the Northeast.
“I wouldn’t be anywhere without my team,” she said after North Andover had been crowned state champion.
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