Mia Parker is your Reader’s Choice Wrestler of the Week for Week 6

Mia Parker was the choice of the reader’s for Week 6. (Photo courtesy of Parker Family)

BY BRANT PARSONS — After moving to Florida from Ohio in 2020, Mia Parker was diagnosed with hip labrum tears.

Parker had been wrestling with the injury for almost three years after starting the sport in 2017.

She spent 11 months in physical therapy and after making a fast recovery from a second hip surgery, she decided to have vastly different goals for herself.

“Wrestlers are truly built differently,” her mother Melinda said. “And Mia has proved that as this early age.”

The First Baptist-Naples eighth-grader turned her focus to being able to compete at the high school level this year and so far she is reaching that goal.

Parker was voted the Reader’s Choice Wrestler of the Week for Week 6 following her performance at the Lady Bears Invitational at Palmetto Ridge.

Parker is hoping to build off these successes into the FHSAA postseason and then prepare for her favorite season - freestyle.

She was on the 14U Florida National Team last summer.

“Mia has some of the best coaches, teammates, and a strong circle of friends that support her and push her to be the best version of herself on and off the mat,” Melinda Parker said. “Mia is excited that girls wrestling is growing exponentially and the level of wrestling is increasing in the state of Florida.”

The other worthy nominees for the honor were Ailee Briggs (Lemon Bay), Ani Brown (Matanzas), Keana Bush (Hudson), Tiana Fries (Matanzas), Isabella Tolentino (East River), Quisiera Wilson (Lincoln Park).