Penobscot Valley High School in Howland hosted 28 schools and 56 wrestlers at Maine’s first all female wrestling State Championship. Three Dexter Regional High School Lady Tiger Wrestlers traveled and took the mat on Wednesday hoping to be the Girls State Champion. Two of the Lady Tigers met that goal.
Aliviah Anderson was the first of the wresters to win the Girls State Championship title. Anderson wrestled in the 106 weight class. Her first round started as a bye and in the second round, Anderson got a quick pin in the first period against Skowhegan’s Emma Shaw. For her third round, Anderson faced Gabriella Taylor from Westbrook where she again was able to pull off the pin in the first period. In the finals Anderson faced Kristin Ray from Erskine Academy. This match was a close 9 – 8 win for Anderson. Anderson is a Dexter Regional High School Freshman and intends to continue with Tiger Wrestling.
Molly Bennett wrestled for the Tigers in the 120 pound weight class. Bennett is also a Tiger Freshman. Bennett pinned Monmouth Academy’s Katie Jordan in the first round of wrestling. Bennett lost by points in her second match to Lisbon/Oak Hill’s Kylie Burns. In her third round, Bennett was able to win by decision against Mattanawcook Academy’s Marina Theriault. Bennett brought home fourth place after losing in the finals to Hailey Wood from Mt. View.
Autumn Irwin states, “for her birthday, my mom wanted me to win Girls State. I can proudly say that after a long day of wresting that I came out on top.” Irwin a Senior Tiger, brought home her Girls State Championship Title after pinning Monmouth Academy’s Elyse Homer in the first round. Irwin won by decision in her last rounds against Bucksport’s Paige Anderson and Maine Central Institute’s Shelby Ostrowski. Irwin plans to attend college out of state and study Pre Veterinary Sciences after graduation in June.
Story and photos courtesy of Christie Hesseltine
