Featured Dual: George Jenkins and Bartow make Polk County wrestling history
George Jenkins’ Miayalee Ortiz-Martinez battles Bartow’s Hannah Royer in the first-ever girls dual in Polk County history. (Photo courtesy of George Jenkins wrestling)
BY BRANT PARSONS — Wrestling in front of over 300 fans, George Jenkins topped Bartow 48-24 in the first-ever girls dual meet in Polk County history on Monday.
“For me personally it was exciting but it really is for the athletes and for each of them regardless of their level of success in this sport to be able to say they were part of something special,” George Jenkins girls coach Anthony Cerullo said. “There is only one first.”
The match came together at the last minute when the original opponent canceled.
“I'm glad we had the opportunity to step in last minute and participate and hope it makes a positive difference for girls wrestling, especially in our county,” Bartow coach David Peoples said. I'm appreciative to Gavin (Osborn) and Tony for thinking of us.”
Miayalee Ortiz-Martinez (110), Angelyn Glazier (140), Tori Gibson (145), and Alyssa Gerber (170) won all of their matches by pin while Mackenzie Skulmoski (190) and Syesha Davis (235) won matches by forfeit to lead the Eagles to the win.
“The core group was definitely fueled by the preseason predictions of Bartow taking second and McKeel first in the district,” Cerullo said. “They want to prove a point and as a whole I think we did so last night.”
The victory showcased the depth that is quickly growing at George Jenkins as they have grown from four total girls to almost 20 in the room this season. They were also missing four starters last night.
Bartow got wins by fall from Paige Ballard (115), Maria Peoples (130), and Ta’Riyah Reeves (155) and a forfeit win by Jayla Azcona (105). The Yellow Jackets were also missing some starters due to late absences.
“Duals is a new experience for our girls and there was definitely a learning curve,” Peoples said. “We couldn't quite overcome the forfeit points but I'm proud of how our girls performed head-to-head, and expect this to be a first step in a big season for us.”
It was also a great first step in the rapidly-growing sport for girls and was done in front of an enthusiastic crowd.
“The girls were over the moon excited,” Cerullo said. "They were able to recruit the hallways to get over 300 people there last night. So to break a barrier down and do it in front of our fans was everything to them.”
George Jenkins 48, Bartow 24
100: Double FF; 105: Jayla Azcona (B) by FF; 110: #5-105 Miayalee Ortiz-Martinez (GJ) p. Hannah Royer (B) 2:15; 115: Paige Ballard (B) p. Trynity Bradley (GJ) 4:10; 120: Double FF; 125: Myla Howard (GJ) by FF; 130: Maria Peoples (B) p. Juliana Valera-Chanax (GJ) 1:30; 135: Double FF; 140: #11 Angelyn Glazier (GJ) p. Alba Vargas (B) :30; 145: Tori Gibson (GJ) p. Angelina Rivera (B) 2:40; 155: #18-145 Ta'Riyah Reeves (B) p. #24-140 Sarai Rodriguez (GJ) 5:00; 170: #15-155 Alyssa Gerber (GJ) p. Jerriyah James (B) :20; 190: Mackenzie Skulmoski (GJ) by FF; 235: Syesha Davis (GJ) by FF.
Brant Parsons is the founder and executive editor of Kabra Wrestling. He has been covering high school wrestling in Florida since 2004. He can be reached at brant@kabrawrestling.com.
