Wrestling: Poalillo raises bar as HP's 2x girls champ

ATLANTIC CITY -- As the face of High Point girls wrestling, sensational sophomore Ella Poalillo is gladly bearing the responsibility to help forge the same tradition as its storied boys program. 

Safe to say that there is no one more capable of doing so as Poalillo continues to inspire teammates and make a case as New Jersey's top pound-for-pound female wrestler by becoming the Wildcats' and Sussex County's first two-time champion in the seventh annual Girls State Tournament on Saturday afternoon at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall. 

Poalillo (2nd from back left) and Changaris (3rd from bottom left) with all the champs

Poalillo (35-0) capped one of the most dominant seasons for any lady wrestler in the Garden State by decking Middletown South's Thea Rowland, who was seeking her second straight title, with a nasty arm bar in 3:17 to win the title at 152 pounds.

"It feels pretty good," said Poalillo, who is the only High Point wrestler to win titles in their first two high school seasons and one of two 2024 champs to repeat along with Hanover Park OW Gabriella Conte at 107. "I'm really excited for the years to come."

High Point freshman phenom Elle Changaris won her first title and also derailed another 2024 champ in their bid to repeat with a wild 19-14 decision over Howell's Kylie Gudewitz at 114 pounds. The two titles for one team in a single state tournament are also new program and county marks. Sussex had four finalists for the first time as well with Newton-Kittatinny stars Eva Barry (138), a two-time runner-up, and Paige DeCaro (165) falling short in their bids to become the first female winners for their school.

In all, the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area took home 13 state medals on the girls' side, including five others from Sussex County -- Angelina Qualitieri of Lenape Valley (fifth at 100), Paige Weiss of Sparta (fourth at 120), Stella Ramos of Newton-Kittatinny (fourth at 152) and Vernon's Rowan Waite (seventh at 185) and Caitlin Hart (fifth at 235). 

Delaware Valley's Lydia Bagley (seventh at 100) and Emmy Hotz (seventh at 235), Hunterdon Central's Emma Peake (fifth at 120) and Phillipsburg's Ellie Kisselbach (fourth at 114) were first-time placers.

Poalillo improved to 64-3 in her career

Poalillo, who started the quest to become High Point's first four-time champion with her title win at 138 pounds (3-1 over Barry) last season, had little trouble repeating against a clearly overmatched Rowland (26-2). Poalillo led, 3-1, after converting a first-period takedown and went to work on top in the second after a reversal -- turning her opponent twice with savage arm bars and eventually securing a fall.

"My go-to [move]," Poalillo said of the pinning combo. "I've been drilling it the whole season and I'm really excited to do it in the state finals match."

There isn't much that Poalillo, a Beast of the East and two-time North 1 region champ, hasn't done in an impressive two-year career. This season, she tallied 27 pins, four technical falls and one major decision to go with three forfeits. Only one bout -- a 12-1 victory in the HWS Tournament finals over Ramos -- went the full six minutes, while Poalillo logged two pins and one tech in three state tournament wins. 

"I kind of like the pressure that's on me," Poalillo said of being one of the biggest title favorites. "I haven't had [an offensive] point scored on me all year, so I feel like I have to keep that reputation. I'm really excited to have a chance for [two more state titles] the next two years."

Changaris earned HP's 15th girls state medal since 2019

Poalillo aspires to bigger things after high school, especially in freestyle, which is the competitive system used in the women's collegiate ranks. She hopes it will one day be implemented across the high school ranks.

"[I plan to] keep training in freestyle, it's a lot more exciting," Poalillo said of her offseason regimen. "I wish [high school girls wrestling] was freestyle, it's my strong suit actually. I would love to see all these girls wrestling freestyle. It [will offer] so many better opportunities and help them in college."

High Point coach John Gardner, who just wrapped up his first full season on the girls' side, is hoping the individual success of his biggest star, can also help build a consistent winner from a team standpoint.

"[Poalillo] is a positive force and very much a wrestler/coach in the [practice] room," said Gardner, who's been on the bench for 14 of the school's 17 individual state titles (four girls), while also winning a state gold at 189 pounds in 1990.

"She's a smart girl who understands what we're trying to do. I think individually, she has some very lofty goals, but I think she realizes that we can have a pretty good program, too, if kids just keep believing in the process."  

With her goal of winning four state gold medals halfway complete, Poalillo is eager for the opportunity next season to join Wildcat boys greats Nick Francavilla (2009-11) and Brian Soldano (2020-22) as the program's only three-time winners.

"It's a little overwhelming now, but I'm really excited to continue, and continue to grow and come back next year," Poalillo said. "I love wrestling in Atlantic City and I'm so glad they brought the girls back here [after a three-year hiatus at Phillipsburg High School from 2021-23]. I'm proud to be a part of the girls wrestling community."

Championships

152 -- So. Ella Poalillo (35-0), High Point, p. So. Thea Rowland (26-2), Middletown South, 3:17.

165 -- Sr. Solaris Paul (24-1), Paterson Kennedy, d. Sr. Paige DeCaro (35-3), Newton-Kittatinny, 7-1.

185 -- Sr. Shaelie Young (30-3), Gateway-Woodbury, p. Jr. Jade Hahn (26-2), Central Regional, 4:41.

235 -- Sr. Caroline Biegel (10-3), DePaul, md. Jr. Saharia Quamina (28-4), Bloomfield, 9-1.

100 -- Jr. Francesca Gusfa (17-1), Ridgewood, d. Jr. Madison Rucci (42-2), Jackson Memorial, 11-5.

107 -- So. Gabriella Conte (15-1), Hanover Park, tf. Jr. Princessstorm Woody (21-1), Trenton Central, 16-0, 3:49.

114 -- Fr. Elle Changaris (37-1), High Point, d. Jr. Kylie Gudewitz (36-1), Howell, 19-14.

120 -- Jr. Reagan Roxas (33-0), Kingsway, d. So. Jocelyn Danbe (20-3), River Dell, 7-4.

126 -- Sr. Jada Pichardo (32-0), Pennsauken, d. Sr. Alexa Cilliotta (22-3), Montville, 1-0.

132 -- So. Lamiah Berry (24-5), Absegami, p. Fr. Lily Massenzio (19-1), DePaul, 2:39.

138 -- Sr. Saniyah Queen (32-2), St. Thomas Aquinas, d. Jr. Eva Barry (31-2), Newton-Kittatinny, 12-6.

145 -- Jr. Olivia Georges (18-0), DePaul, p. Sr. Sonia Balwas (20-5), Paramus, 3:08.

Outstanding Wrestler Award -- Gabriella Conte, Hanover Park.

Coach of the Year Award -- Eric Bollette, Newton-Kittatinny.