CUYAHOGA FALLS — The boys have had their share of excitement, but girls’ wrestling shone brightly at Walsh Jesuit Sunday with the second day of the Women of Ironman Tournament. As per tournament director Johnna Zaccari, this year’s Women of Ironman saw an increase of over 100 wrestlers compared to last year’s inaugural event. The […]
CUYAHOGA FALLS — The boys have had their share of excitement, but girls’ wrestling shone brightly at Walsh Jesuit Sunday with the second day of the Women of Ironman Tournament.
As per tournament director Johnna Zaccari, this year’s Women of Ironman saw an increase of over 100 wrestlers compared to last year’s inaugural event.
The team competition was filled with suspense. Oklahoma state champion Bixby narrowly defeated OHSAA state champion Olentangy Orange 131-127.5 to secure the team title.
Among local teams, Chippewa performed the best overall. All three Chippewa wrestlers who participated in the Women of Ironman made it to the podium.
“I believe we had an excellent weekend,” stated Chippewa coach Hanna Hall. “This gives us insight into our current standing and areas for improvement. We have several adjustments to make, but it’s still early in the season. This tournament is fantastic, offering a range of competitors from out of state that we generally wouldn’t face.”
Leading the way for Chippewa was returning state champion Kayla Moroschan in the 110-pound category. Moroschan engaged in the tightest final match of the event, needing overtime against Libby Roberts of University (W. Va).
After a 1-1 tie in regulation, Roberts executed a single-leg takedown in sudden victory to take a 4-1 decision.
“Kayla maintained strong positioning throughout,” Hall commented. “We just need to enhance her offensive strategies. If her current techniques are not effective, we must strategize an alternative plan.”
Chippewa also secured a fourth-place finish from Isabella Adams at 190 pounds and a sixth-place finish from Gabi Gartin at 125 pounds.
Brecksville’s Anna Madi reached the final at 125 pounds but was defeated 11-1 by Milana Borrelli from Venice, Fla.
Abigail Mozden from Alliance at 135 pounds displayed an array of moves on her way to a third-place finish, while Carolyn Geckler from Perry at 115 pounds ended up fourth.
High school wrestling:Bill Barger’s vision of the Ironman remains as vibrant at Walsh Jesuit as it was three decades ago
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Bixby narrowly beats Olentangy Orange to secure Women of Ironman team championship
The championship at the Women of Ironman came down to the last match, but the title has found its way to Oklahoma.
Bixby took home the championship with 131 points, edging out defending OHSAA champion Olentangy Orange’s 127.5 points, while Cleveland, Tenn. secured a third-place finish with 114.5 points.
The top 15 teams in the Women of Ironman standings are: 1. Bixby (OK), 131; 2. Olentangy Orange, 127.5; 3. Cleveland (Tenn), 114.5; 4. Hernando (Fla), 93; 5. Andrew (Ill), 80; 6. Wyoming Seminary, 75.5; 7. Blair Academy (NJ), 74.5; 8. Marysville, 61. 9. Canon-McMillan (Pa). 59; 10. Lebanon, 58; 11. Archbishop Spalding (Mary), 56; 12. Greeneview, 55.5; 13. Harrison, 53.5; 14. Chippewa, 50.5; 15. Tuslaw Union (OK), 44.5
Women of Ironman Tournament concludes with the crowning of 135-pound champion
In the last match of the tournament, the main event at 135 pounds showcased Corynne McNulty of Blair Academy, NJ against Taina Fernandez of Archbishop Spalding, Mary. Fernandez achieved a pin in 3:45 to conquer the prior Women of Ironman champion.
Also competing at 135, Alliance’s Abigail Mozden executed a strategic match to win 4-2 and capture third place.
Women of Ironman Tournament recognizes 130-pound champion
In the final matchup at 130 pounds, Caroline Hilton from Cleveland, Tenn. faced off against Emma Bacon of Wyoming Seminary, PA. Bacon executed a takedown in the final 10 seconds to clinch a 7-4 victory.
Women of Ironman Tournament names 125-pound champion
Brecksville’s Anna Madi reached the final at 125 pounds but was outmatched in the final by Milana Borrelli from Venice, Fla. Borrelli secured takedowns in each round to earn an 11-1 win and the championship.
Additionally, at 125, Chippewa’s Gabi Gartin lost with a major decision of 12-2 and finished in sixth place.
Women of Ironman Tournament crowns 120-pound champion
During the 120-pound final, Mackenzie Carder from Olentangy Orange competed against Angelina Cassioppi from Hononegah, Ill. Cassioppi recorded two takedowns to secure a decisive 7-0 victory and the title.
Women of Ironman Tournament crowns 115-pound champion
The 115-pound final featured Marie Sharp of Blair Academy, NJ versus Harlee Hiller of Loyola Academy, Ill. Sharp dominated throughout, winning comfortably with a score of 12-3.
In addition, at 115, Perry freshman Carolyn Geckler clinched a third-place finish with a 2-0 victory.
Women of Ironman Tournament crowns 110-pound champion
Chippewa’s Kayla Moroschan aimed for the 110-pound title, facing Libby Roberts for University, W. Va. The match emerged as the most tightly contested final, reaching overtime at 1-1. However, Roberts managed to claim a single-leg takedown in sudden victory, finishing 4-1.
Women of Ironman Tournament crowns 105-pound champion
At 105 pounds, Jaclyn Bouzakis of Wyoming Seminary, Pa. squared off against Sarissa Tucker of Mountain View, Va. Bouzakis executed early takedowns and secured a 7-1 victory to earn the title.
Women of Ironman Tournament crowns 100-pound champion
Heading into the lighter weights, the 100-pound final featured Jackson’s Makennah Craft against Ryleigh Sturgill from Baylor, Tenn. Craft recorded three takedowns in the opening period, cruising to a 9-2 win.
Women of Ironman Tournament crowns 235-pound champion
In the heavyweight category, Berea-Midpark’s Deionna Borders faced Madelin Zumin of Cleveland, Tenn. Borders, the reigning OHSAA 235-pound champion, secured a 5-0 victory with a reversal and takedown.
Women of Ironman Tournament crowns 190-pound champion
For the 190-pound final, Grace Leota of Hernando, Fla. competed against Amie Hartman of Mountain Home, Id. Leota emerged victorious with a 4-0 outcome.
Chippewa’s Isabella Adams forfeited her third-place match due to shoulder issues, resulting in a fourth-place finish.
Women of Ironman Tournament crowns 170-pound champion
In the 170-pound final, Millie Azlin of Bixby, Okla. faced Piper Fowler of Cleveland, Tenn. in a match with significant implications for the team standings. Fowler executed multiple turns on Azlin, achieving a technical fall at 15-0.
Women of Ironman Tournament crowns 155-pound champion
At 155 pounds, Juliet Alt of Chestnut Ridge, Pa. battled Mariah Earl of Hernando, Fla. Alt controlled the match, turning Earl and achieving a pin at 3:44.
Women of Ironman Tournament crowns 145-pound champion
The final match at 145 pounds saw Greeneview’s Gennaveve Matt pitted against Eleanor Dean of Freedom, Va. Dean managed to turn Matt onto her back and secured the championship with a pin at 5:17.
Women of Ironman Tournament crowns 140-pound champion
The finals kicked off with an All-Ohio showdown at 140 pounds, featuring Marysville’s Cara Leng and Greeneview’s Lillian Hendricks. Following two scoreless periods, Hendricks executed a powerful move to pin Leng at 5:31, claiming the championship.
Women of Ironman team competition tightens as finals approach
The team competition for the second annual Women of Ironman Tournament is exceptionally close as the finals approach. Olentangy Orange leads with 119.5 points, with Bixby (OK) closely trailing at 119. Cleveland (TN) holds the third spot with 109 points.
The finals are set to commence in the 140-pound category shortly.
Chippewa’s Isabella Adams advances to the third-place bout
Chippewa’s 190-pounder Isabella Adams continues her impressive tournament journey. Adams achieved a 5-4 victory against Lebanon’s Taryn Naill to secure a spot in the third-place bout. The Chipps are guaranteed to finish with three wrestlers on the podium.
Alliance’s Abigail Mozden makes her mark in third-place match
Another match, another impressive move for 135-pounder Abigail Mozden of Alliance. Mozden executed an arm throw on Olentangy Orange’s Chloe Tompkins and secured a pin in 1:39, advancing to the third-place match.
Perry’s Carolyn Geckler bounces back to secure third-place match
After her semifinal defeat, Perry freshman Carolyn Geckler made a strong recovery. Geckler notched a comeback pin against Charlie Wylie of Port Jevis, N.Y. in 3:32 and will compete for third place at 115 pounds.
Chippewa’s Gartin and Adams progress to consolation semifinals
Chippewa’s Isabella Adams faced a pin in her semifinals but will proudly finish on the podium at the Women of Ironman for the first time. The Chipps also witnessed 125-pounder Gabi Gartin advance to the consolation semifinals after a 10-3 win over Lebanon’s P.J. Broadus.
Perry’s Geckler and Alliance’s Mozden fall to consolation brackets at the Women of Ironman
In the 115-pound category, Perry’s Carolyn Geckler was pinned in her semifinal match against Marie Sharp of Blair Academy, dropping her to the consolation semifinals. At 135 pounds, Alliance’s Abigail Mozden attempted a late side headlock on Blair’s Corynne McNulty, but fell short, resulting in a 9-4 semifinal loss.
Brecksville’s Anna Madi reaches final in 125-pound division at Women of Ironman
Brecksville’s Anna Madi aims to be the first Bee to earn gold at the Women of Ironman. In the 125-pound semifinals, Madi captured the lone takedown to secure a 4-1 victory over Bixby’s Aiyana Perkins, setting up a final matchup against top-seeded Milana Borrelli of Venice, Fla.
Chippewa’s Kayla Moroschan advances to the 110-pound final at Women of Ironman
Following a third-place finish last year, Chippewa’s Kayla Moroschan is in pursuit of the gold at 110 pounds. Moroschan made it to the Women of Ironman final after a 2-0 victory over Keana Bush from Hernando. She will face University’s Libby Roberts in the championship bout.
Team standings after Day 1 of the Women of Ironman wrestling tournament
Defending OHSAA titleholder Olentangy Orange leads by 2.5 points after Day 1 at Walsh, with the Oklahoma powerhouse Bixby close behind.
The top 15 team standings are as follows: 1. Olentangy Orange, 80.5; 2. Bixby (OK), 78.5; 3. Hernando (FL), 57.5; 4. Cleveland (TN), 57.; 5. Andrew (IL), 49.5; 6. Canon-McMillan (PA), 47; 7. Lebanon, 41; 8. Blair Academy (NJ), 40.5; 9. Marysville, 38; 10. Harrison, 37; 11. Wyoming Seminary (PA), 33.5; 12. Tulsa Union (OK), 33; 13. Chippewa, 31; 14. Perry, 26; 15. Greeneview, 24.
Semifinal matches set for Sunday at Women of Ironman
The semifinal matchups for the Women of Ironman are outlined as follows:
100 – Mackennah Craft (Jackson) vs. Emma Moore (Walton-Verona); Cali Otero (Lutheran West) vs. Ryleigh Sturgill (Baylor)
105 – Maya Alvarado (Lake Highland Prep) vs. Jaclyn Bouzakis (Wyoming Seminary); Sarissa Tucker (Mountain View) vs. Libertie Nigh (Urbana)
110 – Madison Healey (Wyoming Seminary) vs. Keana Bush (Hernando); Libby Roberts (University) vs. Kayla Moroschan (Chippewa)
115 – Carolyn Geckler (Perry) vs. Marlee Solomon (Canon-McMillan); Harlee Hiller (Loyola Academy) vs. Marie Sharp (Blair Academy)
120 – McKenna Wilson (Tulsa Union) vs. Angelina Cassioppi (Hononegah); Mackenzie Carder (Olentangy Orange) vs. Natalia Accorsi (Blair Academy)
125 – Bella Ndinga Mbappe (Olentangy Orange) vs. Milana Borrelli (Venice); Aiyana Perkins (Bixby) vs. Anna Madi (Brecksville)
130 – Hallie Winslow (Marion Elgin) vs. Emma Bacon (Wyoming Seminary); Sophia Slaughter (Orange County) vs. Caroline Hilton (Cleveland)
135 – Abigail Mozden (Alliance) vs. Sophia Antonio (North Royalton); Taina Fernandez (Archbishop Spalding) vs. Corynne McNulty (Blair Academy)
140 – Lillian Hendricks (Greeneview) vs. Janelle Donahue (Clermont Northeastern); Cara Leng (Marysville) vs. Abby Green (Waverly)
145 – Gennaveve Matt (Greeneview) vs. Eleanor Dean (Freedom); Lexie Riley (Olentangy Orange) vs. Veronica Decaluwe (Harrison)
155 – Natalie Carlisle (Lebanon) vs. Lori Grimes (Marysville); Juliet Alt (Chestnut Ridge) vs. Mariah Earl (Hernando)
170 – Lydia Heinrich (Olentangy Orange) vs. Enerlen Davaajav (Freedom); Piper Fowler (Cleveland) vs. Millie Azlin (Bixby)
190 – Amie Hartman (Mountain Home) vs. Natalie Rush (Canon-McMillan); Grace Leota (Hernando) vs. Isabella Adams (Chippewa)
235 – Deionna Borders (Berea-Midpark) vs. Madelin Zunin (Cleveland); Malana Miller (Bixby) vs. Jenny Huaracha-Arellanos (Olentangy Orange)