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Isabella Ndinga Mbappe is heading to Walsh Jesuit with big plans for girls wrestling

Incoming Walsh Jesuit freshman Isabella Ndinga Mbappe had a solid showing at the 16U girls national freestyle championships in Fargo, N.D., and can't wait to make her mark with the Warriors girls wrestling program.
Incoming Walsh Jesuit freshman Isabella Ndinga Mbappe had a solid showing at the 16U girls national freestyle championships in Fargo, N.D., and can't wait to make her mark with the Warriors girls wrestling program.

Isabella Ndinga Mbappe is on her way to Walsh Jesuit this fall, and the freshman is ready to become the face of the Warriors girls wrestling program.

The history of the Warriors’ boys program is long known with individual and state team tournaments along with the Ironman.

Now that there’s an Ironwoman tournament beginning this fall, Ndinga Mbappe can’t wait to put her stamp on Walsh.

“Honestly, I’m overjoyed about it,” Ndinga Mbappe said. “When we were deciding on a high school, Walsh was just the one that really stuck with us. I can’t wait to get in the halls and start recruiting. I already have girls I know that are ready to join.”

Isabella Ndinga Mbappe impresses at 16U Fargo Nationals

While Ndinga Mbappe won’t come home from the 16U girls freestyle national championships in Fargo, N.D., as an All-American, the incoming freshman certainly didn’t disappoint.

She went 4-2 with wins over Colorado folkstyle All-American Breezy Johnston, Southern Plains regional placer Abbigail O’Kelly of Oklahoma, South Dakota state placer Brooklynn Baird and Illinois state placer Grace Laird.

“The level of girls and how far away national stuff reaches people is huge,” Ndinga Mbappe said. “It’s a faster pace. You have to work your pace and keep your head into it.”

State champion Cali Leng still alive in Junior Freestyle bracket at Fargo

Marysville's Cali Leng, the daughter of Highland two-time state champion Jesse Leng of Highland, needs one win to become an All-American at the girls Junior Freestyle National Championships in Fargo, N.D.
Marysville's Cali Leng, the daughter of Highland two-time state champion Jesse Leng of Highland, needs one win to become an All-American at the girls Junior Freestyle National Championships in Fargo, N.D.

There is a bit of a Greater Akron connection still left in terms of All-America status as Marysville's Cali Leng is still alive in the Junior Freestyle tournament.

She is the daughter of two-time state champion Jesse Leng of Highland and is one win away from a top-eight finish.

Contact Brad Bournival at bbournival@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @bbournival

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Ndinga Mbappe ready to headline Walsh Jesuit girls wrestling