Local Vermont Girls Grapple in Pennsylvania Tournament
Three local Vermont female wrestlers recently traveled to the University of Pennsylvania to compete in a women’s freestyle tournament. The tournament included 24 teams from around the US, including as far away as Wyoming, Missouri, Michigan, and Illinois.
The three girls competed with the Maine Trappers Wrestling Club, the same team some Vermont girls competed with during the Women’s Freestyle Nationals in Fargo, North Dakota, this past July. St Johnsbury Academy senior Brooke Davis (shown above) went 5-3 during the two-day event at Penn State, while North Country 9th Grader Payten Lathe and SJA 9th Grader Layla McGarvin went 0-7.
“Talking with our wrestlers, this was a tough tournament. A few of the girls faced off with competitors that ranked All-American at the national tournament in Fargo this year. Win or lose, it is a learning experience. After each bout, you step off that mat and review what went well and what needs work. Every tournament provides a new opportunity for growth,” said SJA Wrestling Co-Coach DJ Rousseau, who could not attend the event.
In 2025, Vermont will have freestyle traveling teams for boys and girls. Unlike folkstyle wrestling, there are no coed matches in freestyle. Boys and girls compete separately. “We are fortunate to have a strong working relationship with other programs and coaches like the Maine Trappers to allow our wrestlers to join in and compete. We can help fill empty weight classes to supplement their team while our wrestlers gain needed experience and build the sport as we work to finalize our upcoming Vermont traveling program. It’s an exciting time for women’s wrestling and Vermont wrestling as a whole. There will be more details coming soon!” said Rousseau.
