Amanda Colombo 11th grade, Newark High School’s JV/Varsity wrestler has been wrestling with the program for 3 years. This year Amanda went 8 wins and 15 losses. The record does not show the constant pressure and resiliency it takes to be a female on a Boy’s wrestling team. Amanda has made it her personal objective to push herself on and off the mat in preparation for college.
Jade Eldridge 9th grade, Newark High School’s JV wrestler had one season with Newark’s modified program and had 3 total matches this year at the JV level. Jade went 0-3 this year at the JV level, suffering all defeats close in points. She is determined to make the Varsity team.
Both Amanda and Jade strive for a Sanctioned New York Girl’s Wrestling program. This will provide more opportunities to wrestle and bring more competition in the girls division.
On January 8, 2018 the Public School Athletic League announced they were hosting the first ever “Girl’s Folk Style New York State Championships in the Bronx, NY”.
Jade provided the information to Amanda and the coaching staff in Newark. Jade explained to her coach the impotency of the tournament and her desire to compete amongst the best female wrestlers in New York. Jade’s dad also expressed to the coaching staff, that this was an amazing opportunity for both ladies.
After a little research the Newark coaching staff signed up both Amanda and Jade for the tournament. Both ladies continued practicing with the Varsity wrestlers to assist with Sectionals and Super Sectionals, while also practicing with the Newark Pee Wee wrestling team. Jade’s dad set up specific drills/cardio workouts to help maintain the proper techniques to stay motivated.
Jason Eldridge could see the hunger in Amanda and Jade’s eyes. To come home from practicing with the Newark Varsity team, have a regulated meal to maintain weight, and show motivation to get back to the mats with the Pee Wee program, that shows true grit. “That is the discipline and motivation wrestling shows you in life. What you put into wrestling, is what you get out of it. I could not have been more proud of the hard work they showed. I cannot thank Coach Jose Perez and the Newark Pee Wee Wrestling program enough, for taking on the girls and accepting them as Wrestlers and not girls,” said Jason.
On February 17, 2018 at 10:30 am the wrestling began. Both girls had a full bracket, with first round matches. The email that came home to coaches and parents stated, “due to the high number of wrestlers; there might be a single elimination round”. There was one request from Jade’s dad. Win your first match and win it in dominate fashion. The tournament was on!
First, up on mat #2 Amanda Colombo. Nerves were gone and it is time to wrestle. Amanda shook hands with her opponent and the whistle blew. Once a loud room of screaming coaches and friends had finally gone silent. The match went the full 6 minutes and Amanda pulled off the win the last 20 seconds. First hurdle is complete and “Jade Eldridge is on deck,” sounded in the Bbackground.
Jade hugged her dad and he wishes her good luck. She walked out to the circle calm and collected. Jade’s first match was with a senior, who had 4 years or more experience. The whistle blew and Jade wasted no time getting a take down and just like that, the match was over! Jade placed the girl in a cradle and pinned her. Both girls advanced in the tournament.
Amanda and Jade both wrestled 6 times, placing 7th overall in New York State. Both girls lost in the second round to the ladies who placed 2 and then in the 5th round to the ladies who took 5th. Both Amanda and Jade wrestled like champions. They were not seeded in the tournament and did not have a big name like some of the ladies ranked in the state, but they will be on the radars next wrestling season.
A very special guest represented the New York State Girls Championships. Helen Maroulis, Olympic Gold Medalist. The first ever gold medal in women’s Olympic wrestling showed up to show support and to meet all of the young ladies wrestling. Helen is a true hero and inspiration to Amanda and Jade.
The post Two Newark girls sent to first sanctioned girls wrestling tournament in New York appeared first on Times of Wayne County.