Girls Wrestling: Olentangy Orange defeats Marysville to win inaugural state duals
Surraiya Mahmud recorded a pin that made history, securing the championship for the second-seeded Olentangy Orange girls wrestling team in the inaugural state duals Jan. 23 at Marysville.
Orange coaches bumped up the sophomore one weight class from 155 pounds to 170, and she pinned the top-seeded Monarchs’ Olana Chapman in 2 minutes, 29 seconds to clinch the title in a 42-32 victory.
It was the third girls state championship for Orange, which opened in 2008. The girls golf team won Division I state titles in 2016 and 2017.
Also, the Pioneers’ boys track and field squad won the Division I state indoor title in 2020.
“When I walked off the mat, a couple of my teammates told me that I just secured it and that I just did it,” Mahmud said. “Coach (Brian) Nicola said, ‘Oh my God, you just did it!’ I was so happy and full of joy.”
The eight-team event was organized by the Ohio High School Wrestling Coaches Association. The Ohio High School Athletic Association recently voted to sanction girls wrestling beginning next season.
At last year’s individual state tournament at Hilliard Davidson, Marysville won the title with 131.5 points. Casstown Miami East (103) was runner-up and Orange (95) was third as 85 teams scored.
“It isn’t about winning it, but having these girls come out and showcase themselves and for them to be able to compete,” Orange assistant coach Vanessa Oswalt said. “Five years ago, we never thought this would have been possible.”
Alicia Coleman (140), Josie Nickoloff (115) and Lucy Scheibeck (125) also had pins for the Pioneers. Kascidy Garren (145) and Lexi Simmons (110) won by decision, and Medha Elchuri (100) and Jennifer Huaracha-Arellanos (235) won by forfeit.
“Our girls have been working their butts off,” Oswalt said. “We told them every single point would be important in these matches, and they came out and did not give up. They kept fighting and fighting. Even when they went to their back, they kept fighting.”
Cali Leng (120), Desi Lee (190) and Aubrey Reese (155) had pins for the Monarchs, and Paige Krueger (105) and Emily Segner (135) won by major decisions. Malia Burkhardt (130) won by forfeit.
“It was an exciting week for the girls,” Marysville coach Shawn Andrews said. “It was a fun, exciting environment, and I think this will give them something to remember even if they didn’t come out on top.”
Fourth-seeded Delaware Hayes placed fourth, losing to third-seeded Harrison 48-36 in the consolation dual. Hailey Hatfield (115) won by pin for the Pacers, and Kelcey Dew (140), Taylor Osborne (130), CiCi Plaud (100), Ella Ries (190) and Eliza Riggs (125) won with forfeit.
“The girls are upset they lost, but they knew it was going to be close,” Delaware coach Josh Lamb said. “Our girls are tough. We didn’t wrestle scared. I’m proud of their effort, and they wrestled hard.”
Orange had a first-round bye after seventh-seeded Miami East bowed out because of COVID-19 issues. Marysville defeated eighth-seeded Minerva 65-12 and Delaware defeated sixth-seeded Mason 75-6.
The Pioneers outlasted Harrison 48-36 in one semifinal and Marysville defeated Delaware 54-24 in the other.
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This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: Ohio girls wrestling: Olentangy Orange wins inaugural state duals
