In the world of wrestling, some athletes rise above the competition, leaving an indelible mark on the sport. This article highlights the extraordinary achievements of Savannah Isaac, a four-time state wrestling champion, and the remarkable success of the North Central College's women's wrestling team.
Savannah Isaac: A Wrestling Dynasty
Savannah Isaac, a Whitmer High School senior from Ohio, has etched her name in wrestling history by securing her fourth state championship at the Ohio High School Athletic Association 2024 Wrestling State Tournament in Columbus.
Isaac has been wrestling since she was 5 years old and her coaches say she has inspired others to join the sport. She is ranked No. 1 in the country for girls’ wrestling.
Her dominance is further underscored by an undefeated record in girls’ wrestling, boasting an impressive 84-0 record. Isaac has also earned the nickname Queen of the Mat as she is the only girl in the state’s history to win three national titles.
Whitmer Wrestling Program coach Jeremy Fowler praised Isaac's competitive spirit, stating, "She’s competitive, she hates to lose. She doesn’t want to lose at anything." Fowler went on to talk about Isaac’s competitive nature. “She doesn’t want to be treated any differently,” he said. “I know she’s a female in a male-dominated sport, but you’d never know.”
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There’s even a mural of Isaac in the Whitmer Field House parking lot. Isaac said the community support she has received has meant a lot. “I just want to thank them for showing me that they care and for showing me that they will always have my back,” she said.
Isaac also expressed gratitude to her parents for their unwavering support. “I want to thank them for everything they have done for me,” she said.
The high school senior has also earned the nickname Queen of the Mat as she is undefeated in girls’ wrestling with an 84-0 record and the only girl in the state’s history to win three national titles.
The Growth of Women's Wrestling
Isaac’s success has ignited a surge in interest in women's wrestling. “We’ve got around 28 wrestlers in our junior high and high school programs already,” Fowler said. “The growth of women’s wrestling has been amazing.”
The state champion wrestler also thanked her parents for their ongoing support. “I want to thank them for everything they have done for me,” she said.
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North Central Cardinals: Champions of the Tournament
The North Central Cardinals showcased their wrestling prowess at a prestigious tournament, emerging as the champions with a remarkable score of 165 points.
Here’s a breakdown of their outstanding performances:
- Brianne Graves (101-pound weight class): No. 6 Brianne Graves began the tournament with a pin over University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point's Kelly Enriquez (4:51). Graves pinned Frostburg State's Faith Day in just one minute and 53 seconds in the second round. In the championship match, Graves faced teammate and tenth-ranked Maddie Avila. Avila's trip to the finals started with an 11-0 technical fall win over Albion College's Gabriella Motz. Avila earned two straight wins by decision in the quarterfinals and the semifinals.
- Sydney Petzinger (117 division): Second-ranked Sydney Petzinger needed just one minute and 34 seconds to pin Lindenwood's Bailey Lusch in the first round. Next, Petzinger defeated Savannah Arroyo (Wyoming Seminary) by a 10-0 technical fall before pinning Carthage College's Natalie Majer in one minute and 42 seconds. Petzinger defeated teammate Mikayla Garcia in the semifinals with a 12-0 technical fall.
- Sydney Perry and Sarina Bertram (145-pound weight class): Seventh-ranked Sydney Perry and Sarina Bertram made it to the finals in the 145-pound weight class. Perry received a bye in the first round before defeating Sarah Sunday from Frostburg by a technical fall (10-0). Perry met teammates Caylynn Chandler and Riley Aamold in the following rounds. Perry defeated Chandler with a pin (3:56) before defeating Aamold in a 6-6 criteria win. After a bye in the first round, Bertram began her route to the finals. Bertram defeated Carthage's Adele Senzig with a 10-0 technical fall. Bertram earned two decision wins, a 4-1 win over Paige Wehrmeister (Presbyterian) and a 5-1 win over teammate Claire Waite.
- Tiera Jimerson (160 class): Seventh-ranked Tiera Jimerson earned back-to-back wins by 10-0 technical falls in the 160 class. Jimerson defeated Remington LaFlamme (Wyoming Seminary) and Riley Ensing (Stevens Point). In the semifinals, Jimerson defeated Lindenwood's Alana Duggan by a 9-0 decision.
- Shenita Lawson and Brittyn Corbishley (180-pound weight class): Fifth-ranked Shenita Lawson and third-ranked Brittyn Corbishley took first and second place in the 180-pound weight class. Lawson defeated Ruby Joseph (Unattached) with a 13-0 technical fall before taking down Albion's Abbie Miles with a 16-8 decision win. In the semifinals, Lawson pinned Stella Steigler (Unattached) in five minutes and 13 seconds. To get to the championships, Corbishley first pinned Teagan McKinnie (Stevens Point) in one minute and 22 seconds before pulling an 8-7 decision win over Larissa Gallo (Unattached). In the semifinals, Corbishley earned her second pin of the day, this time over Aurora University's Mackenzie Konanz, in one minute and three seconds.
- Dasia Yearby (207 division): No. 10 Dasia Yearby received a bye in the first round. Yearby defeated Presbyterian's eighth-ranked Maria Aiono with an 8-0 decision. Then, Yearby met teammate Traeh Haynes on the mat. Yearby defeated Haynes with an 11-4 decision.
The Cardinals will prepare to take on elite competitors at the two-day National Wrestling Coaches Associations (NWCA) National Duals next weekend, Jan. 10 and Jan.
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| Weight Class | Wrestler | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 101-pound | Brianne Graves | Championship Match vs. Maddie Avila |
| 117 division | Sydney Petzinger | Semifinals win over Mikayla Garcia |
| 145-pound | Sydney Perry | Finals vs. Sarina Bertram |
| 145-pound | Sarina Bertram | Finals vs. Sydney Perry |
| 160 class | Tiera Jimerson | Semifinals win over Alana Duggan |
| 180-pound | Shenita Lawson | Semifinals win over Stella Steigler |
| 180-pound | Brittyn Corbishley | Semifinals win over Mackenzie Konanz |
| 207 division | Dasia Yearby | Win over Traeh Haynes |