HERSHEY, Pa. — It's a first-of-its-kind PIAA state wrestling tournament that concluded in Hershey on Saturday night. For the first time ever, there were three mats, instead of two for the championship round, as the PIAA also crowned state champs on the girls' mat.
Ladies first, or more accurately, these ladies are the first to advance to the girls state wrestling finals.
J.P. McCaskey’s Journie Rodriguez takes advantage of the opportunity and is now a historical figure in Pennsylvania sports. She’s the first 112-pound state wrestling champ, fitting since her school was the first to start a girls wrestling program in the Keystone State.
"It's an honor to know that I'm the first-ever," said Rodriguez emotionally after getting her gold medal. "I work really hard and to come from McCaskey, a school that most people don't really know, is just amazing. I'm grateful I had this opportunity to wrestle and perform my best."
What a day for Cumberland Valley senior Eliana Vega-White. She starts the event by singing the national anthem and then goes to work on the mat in a thrilling 124-pound final. The Eagle hangs on for a 10-8 decision and after hugs from her opponent and her coach, Vega-White can let it sink in that she's a state champion.
"I feel very satisfied, definitely feel at peace. The past three days have been a lot of pushing through those mental battles. Everyone has them, so to be done and be able to say that I'm the first PIAA state champion, it's really a blessing from God himself," said Vega-White.
At 148 pounds, it's a guaranteed state championship from District III with Gettysburg’s Zoey Haines up against Central Dauphin’s Charlotte Gilfoil. The two met in the district championship with Gilfoil coming away with the win. This one takes every ounce of energy in a physical rematch, but this time it's Haines outlasting Gilfoil 5-2 to earn state gold.
"I'm really excited. The nerves are still coming down," laughed Haines. "It's just really cool to be wrestling here and to see how many girls are a part of this. I was trying not to smile before the clock ran out but I just kept looking over to my dad because I knew that I had it."
The long pursuit to have a girls state wrestling tournament is a reality and now it’s officially in the record books.
While the girls make history in their first-ever state championship, Northern Lebanon junior Aaron Seidel continues to attain perfection. He’s now three for three in PIAA gold medal matches.
Seidel faces Bishop McDevitt freshman Greyson Music. The defending two-time champ is masterful on defense and opportunistic when there’s a chance to score points. He turns over Music for a few back points at the end to make it an 8-0 major decision for state title number three.
"It's the best feeling in the whole world," said Seidel. "Let alone winning one my freshman year, which I've always dreamt of that, I won number two last year, so to win a third is awesome. I've gotten very comfortable. I think the first year I was very nervous but I was definitely more composed and I think the mentality side of things was good this year."
Here's a complete list of results from all of our local wrestlers in the championship round:
GIRLS
112 - Journie Rodriguez (JP McCaskey) DEC Lane Fordyce (Bishop McCort), 7-3
124 - Eliana White-vega (Cumberland Valley) DEC Julissa Ortiz (Mariana Bracetti), 10-8
148 - Zoey Haines (Gettysburg) DEC Charlotte Gilfoil (Central Dauphin), 7-2
BOYS 2A
114 - Ayden Smith (Notre Dame Green Pond) DEC Will Detar (Trinity), 7-4
121 - Aaron Seidel (Northern Lebanon) MD Greyson Music (Bishop McDevitt), 8-0
133 - Brandt Harer (Montgomery) DEC Camden Baum (Bishop McDevitt), 2-1 TB2
139 - Bo Bassett (Bishop McCort) TF Cameron Mingee (Littlestown), 21-6
BOYS 3A
107 - Dominick Morrison (Hatboro-Horsham) DEC Aiden Herndon (Cedar Cliff), 2-1
133 - Tahir Parkins (Nazareth) DEC Tyler Adams (York Suburban), 9-2
160 - Asher Cunningham (State College) DEC Ryan Garvick (Central Dauphin), 2-0
189 - Tucker Hogan (Daniel Boone) DEC Cole Bartram (Northern York), 5-2