Five wrestlers medal in all-girl tourney
This past weekend, 54 wrestlers from 29 different schools traveled to Andover, Massachusetts to compete in the 6th Annual Phillips Andover All Girls Wrestling Tournament.
There’s no escape from these girls…
After the event, Lawrence Academy Wrestling Coach Michael Oakes couldn’t have been more impressed by the girls on his time, who delivered an outstanding all-around performance.
“I’m beyond proud of all of my girls,” Coach Oakes said. “Their hard work is really paying off.
“I am so very proud of all of them.”
And this was no moral victory. The results from the day don’t lie.
LA finished in 2nd place overall, with all 5 girls; Emily Morin ’22, Ester Berrocal de Castro ’19, Elizabeth Crandall ’22, Raquel Berrocal de Castro ’21, and Karoline Hartner ’22 finishing in tops spots in their respective weight classes.
For Karoline — who had never wrestled a day in her life before this school year — the day felt extra special, as she finished first in her division.
“I was originally going to do theater but I have stage fright,” Hartner said. “And my best-friend Elizabeth Crandall [who has been wrestling since she was little] convinced me to wrestle.“
“[Before the season], I felt like the ‘elephant in the room’ because I had absolutely no clue what I was doing, but everyone was so helpful and welcoming.”
Coach Oakes was extremely happy with his first time wrestler and her success in the tournament.
“Liney [aka Karoline] went out there and wrestled her matches; she controlled every moment.” Coach said.
Two years ago, LA wrestling welcomed it’s first girl (in recent memory) onto the squad. And ever since, Ester Berrocal de Castro ’19 joined the roster.
Her bravery opened the door for other girls to confidently give wrestling a shot.
“There was so much girl power in that room and it was so empowering watching so many girls wrestle,” said Hartner. “The feeling of having your hand raised is so rewarding.”
