Four earned pre-state Reader’s Choice Wrestler of the Week honors
EDITOR’S NOTE: Our Reader’s Choice Wrestler of the Week got lost in the shuffle as we worked to ready Way Too Early rankings and began to look forward. With the return of Wrestler of the Week coming for the offseason, we wanted to take time to reward these winners.
Anderson, Bolick, Lopez, and Fisher were the final vote winners from last season. (Photos courtesy of each wrestler)
BY BRANT PARSONS — In the penultimate vote for Reader’s Choice Wrestler of the Week, four wrestlers earned the honor ahead of the state tournament.
The four winners were Jordan Anderson (Hudson), Evan Bolick (Lakewood Ranch), Miabella Lopez (Orlando Freedom), and Gavin Fisher (Middleburg).
Bolick earned the Class 3A honor after being the only Lakewood Ranch wrestler to qualify for the state tournament.
“It’s a great honor being recognized for my wrestling,” Bolick said. “With hard work, determination, and perseverance, you’d be surprised how far you can go and how much you can achieve.”
The Class 2A winner Fisher, bonus pointed his way to the first regional title of his career. He improved his freshman record to 58-2 entering the state tournament, became the first region champion under coach Coll Robertson.
The nomination for Fisher said, “He has consistently moved up in the rankings from being 16th in the beginning to being 4th now he has consistently proved the rankings wrong.”
The nomination for Anderson said that he “has had a solid season. The junior got fourth in regionals with a terrific win in the blood round. Not only is he a first-time state placer, but he proved Kabra wrong!”
On earning the honor, Anderson said, “Being voted for this feels like conquering the mat and earning the respect of your teammates and opponents.”
Orlando Freedom’s Miabella Lopez fought back from what should have been a season ending injury to make it to state.
She was nominated for the honor by her mother who said, “Miabella is such a hard and dedicated worker. She never misses practices. She has fought back from what should have been a season ending injury to make it to state.”
