Doubt national champion Gabby Tedesco at your own risk
Lake Gibson’s Gabby Tedesco is given her award after winning a national title in Fargo, N.D. (Photo courtesy of SEWrestle)
BY BRANT PARSONS — Gabby Tedesco felt disrespected.
When the latest national rankings came out before the 2023 US Marine Corps 16U & Junior Nationals in Fargo, N.D, the Lake Gibson rising senior found herself at No. 29 at 100 pounds.
She was stunned.
"I would rather not be ranked than be number 29," Tedesco said. "I had beaten so many ranked above me and I was mad."
The folks in charge of the rankings will have to start paying her some proper attention.
Tedesco is now a national champion after she beat former 16U national champion and Florida state champion Val Solorio by technical fall, 11-0. Solorio, a member of Team Pennsylvania after moving there following her state title, was ranked #4 in the latest rankings.
PREPARARTION
Tedesco knew that Solorio would be in the final in Fargo, the question was only if she could be there to face her.
When the brackets were released, she realized she had a chance.
That is when her planning was key.
READ: Tedesco, Manis, Booe, and Bethel are National Champions
Tedesco watched film on each of her opponents heading into the match and even before the tournament had started, she knew a lot of the girls in her weight class.
"I had a gameplan for each one," Tedesco said.
Once she made it to the finals, she had a plan for there too.
Tedesco was very familiar with Solorio.
When they met in the 2022 FHSAA State Tournament, Tedesco said she had a little thought in her head that she could win, but she thinks that deep down, she didn't truly believe that she could.
Solorio won that match with a pin in the first period.
This time, Tedesco was in a better spot mentally and came into the match with no nerves and super calm with total confidence in the work she had done to get to that moment.
"I knew how she would wrestle," Tedesco said. "She's a very good defensive wrestler and she will capitalize on bad shots. I knew I had to keep moving and not stay on my knees when she would snap me down."
The strategy worked as Tedesco scored first with a four-point throw and by the end of the first period led 9-0.
Then just over 30 seconds into the second period, Tedesco sealed her national title with a takedown.
"Once I put points on, she had to take bigger chances," Tedesco said. "She was rushing things and she made a mistake by leaving her elbow deep. I had been practicing for that."
Gabby Tedesco and Valarie Solorio met in the national finals after meeting in the 2022 Florida state finals. (Photo courtesy of SEWrestle)
DOUBTS
Tedesco still feels a little disrespected.
She watched the video of her finals match to see what she could work on to get better and was stunned at the favoritism shown to her opponent by the announcers, even after she had jumped out to a big lead.
"It was 9-0 and they were still talking about her coming back on me," Tedesco said. "It was crazy to see how much I was doubted, even by Flo."
Tedesco, speaking before a workout at Lake Gibson, is getting ready for more national tournaments and is willing to face anyone she can to keep showing the wrestling world that she shouldn't be ignored.
"I will wrestle #1, #2, and anyone else that wants to," Tedesco said. "Just so I'm not doubted."
Along with national tournaments, Tedesco is in the room working to repeat as a Florida state champion and lead the growing Lake Gibson girls program.
It's all part of the plan for Tedesco.
"The main thing is to not lose sight of my goals so while I'm extremely excited and happy, I need to be looking at the future - eating right, practicing, lifting, and working 20x harder - and moving forward to win bigger things."
Those goals that Tedesco is working for?
"I just want to win everything. I want to win everything I go for."
She's off to a good start.
