Local High School Wrestler Competes at Nationals
On July 13 and 14, St Johnsbury Academy wrestler Brooke Davis ‘25, along with two other Vermont wrestlers, competed in the United States’ toughest wrestling tournament, the US National Women’s Freestyle Tournament in Fargo, ND. The three Vermont wrestlers were among the 1,975 other young women participating in the elite competition.
The three girls first left Vermont on July 2 to take part in a pre-Fargo intensive wrestling camp in Colorado Springs, CO taught by a world class coaching staff. When asked about her experience at the camp, Brooke replied, “It was hard and miserable, but overall prepared us well for Fargo.” After the camp, all three traveled to North Dakota for the National competition hosted by North Dakota State University.
Arriving in Fargo a few days early gave Brooke and her teammates the opportunity for additional training with the Maine Trappers Wrestling Club, who welcomed our Vermonters as part of their team for the event. Each state must have its own delegate to wrestle under its team banner. At the time of registration, Vermont did not have a delegation.
On July 13, Brooke Davis and her fellow Vermont wrestlers Maisa Allen (OV ‘26) and Jillian Glaski (MAU ‘26) entered the Fargodome along with 1,972 other female wrestlers from across the US and two US territories to see who was best in the nation in their weight class.
Wrestling in the 155-lbs class Junior Division, Brooke Davis was one of 90 wrestlers in her bracket. Her first match of the tournament was against 7th seed Maggie Ortmann from Missouri, losing by Fall in the first period. With the support of her teammates, Brooke battled back through the consolation round. Brooke defeated her next three opponents, Alyssia Brown (KS), Haley Flores (KS), and Alexa Wolf (AR), each by Fall within the first period. Unfortunately, Brooke was halted by Illinois’ wrestler AJ Grant one match before she could advance to the second day of the tournament.
Although her Vermont teammates were also eliminated from the tournament on the first day during the same consolation round, all three were proud to walk away with their heads held high, having achieved a 3-2 winning record in the Nation’s biggest freestyle tournament. When asked about her experience, Brooke responded, “I would do it again! I enjoyed the level of competition and the boost in confidence I felt after winning my matches. We need more girls to join wrestling to bring our own Vermont team.”
