Long quest pays off as Hernando girls win state title | Finals breakdown

KISSIMMEE — The blueprint and work for Hernando’s first girls wrestling state title began over a decade ago and on Saturday in the Silver Spurs Arena, the Leopards realized that dream, winning the crown at the FHSAA State Wrestling Tournament.

“This is what we’ve been working for for 12 years,” Hernando head coach David Prtiz said. “I didn’t know if I would ever have a team that could win a state title so this is amazing and I’m super proud.”

Led by state champion Grace Leota, Hernando (104.5 points) placed six wrestlers onto the podium and got points from all nine wrestlers to win the state title by 20.5 points.

The state title was the second for Leota, who moved to Florida from Washington before last season and not only has been dominant on the mat in the Sunshine State, she was the final piece to the Hernando puzzle.

“Grace changed our whole girls program,” Pritz said. “She showed what it takes to be elite and these girls followed her. She’s a leader and the girls follow her.”

Emma Bauknight (115) and Makenzie Eltzroth (145) each finished in third place with Sydney Bridenstine (5th at 120), Mariah Earl (6th at 155) and Chloe Stinnett (4th at 190) all finished on the podium for Hernando.

“This team is the most bonded team I’ve ever been around,” Pritz said. “They support each other, they cheer for each other, that’s what won us the state title.”

Flagler Palm Coast (84 points) finished second with just four wrestlers in Kissimmee thanks to the championship performances from Joslyn Johnson (100) and Christina Borgmann (125) and fourth-place finishes by Ana Vilar (130) and Alexa Calidonio (170).

Matanzas (68), Orlando Freedom (54), and Mater Lakes (53) rounded out the top five teams.

Click here for complete results (PDF).

Finals

100: Joslyn Johnson (Flagler Palm Coast) dec. Camdyn Elliott (Gulf Breeze) 4-3

Johnson turned Elliott for three nearfall points in the second period and then escaped with two seconds left to win.

(Photo by London Parsons/Kabra Wrestling)

105: Gabriele Tedesco (Lake Gibson) dec. Abigail Gonzalez (Mater Lakes) 7-2

Two nationally-ranked wrestlers went at it with the senior Tedesco winning her second title with the win over eighth-grader Gonzalez.

110: Mariah Mills (Matanzas) p. Erin Rizzuto (Ponte Vedra) 3:43

The first of two state titles for the Mills family on Saturday as the Matanzas junior finished the season unbeaten.

115: Iyonna Church-Ross (Charlotte) dec. Grace Lashinsky (DeLand) 6-0

Church-Ross scored a shutout in the final after not allowing an offensive point all tournament long.

120: Milana Borrelli (Venice) maj. Delialah Betances (Liberty) 10-0

In a battle of state champions from different states a year ago, Borrelli won her second-straight Florida title with a shutout performance.

125: Christina Borgmann (Flagler Palm Coast) p. Lahela Turquist (Pace) 3:48

Borgmann punctuated a perfect season with a decisive performance in the final.

130: Gabriela Caro (Douglas) dec. Rachel Silva (Florida Christian) 3-0

A second state title for Caro was clinched with a reversal with 35 seconds left in this hard-fought battle that left both ladies celebrating each other.

135: Ailee Briggs (Lemon Bay) maj. Emma Hoppe (Viera) 9-1

Briggs completed a memorable weekend, giving up just the single point on the weekend to win her first state title.

140: Sofia Delgado (Coral Park) dec. Tiana Fries (Matanzas) 7-3

Deglado ended her storied high school career with a second title and third finals appearance.

145: Katherine Stewart (Bartram Trail) dec. Emily Jaspe (Mater Academy) 5-0

Stewart earned the state title that eluded her a year ago with an impressive performance all weekend.

155: Mya Bethel (North Miami) p. Kha`Liyah Delva (Fort Pierce Central) 2:51

Bethel is now 3-for-3 for state titles and could become the state’s first four-time state champion next season. The national champion is undefeated in three seasons.

170: Grace Leota (Hernando) dec. Megan Preston (Wiregrass Ranch) 8-1

Leota’s state title was the final touch on a championship weekend for the Leopards, complete with imported leis from Hawaii for the podium from the Leota family.