Wrestling: HWS history makers galore in girls states

ATLANTIC CITY -- It was one of those seasons to remember for Newton-Kittatinny's girls wrestling team. Though an individual gold medal was not to be, the Braves had cause to celebrate three on the podium.

Junior Eva Barry and senior Paige DeCaro were runners-up at their respective weight classes, while sophomore Stella Ramos was a fourth-place finisher in the seventh Girls State Championships on Saturday afternoon at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall.

Barry will enter her senior season at 90-14 overall

Barry (34-2) suffered her second straight finals loss in dropping a 12-6 decision to St. Thomas Aquinas senior Saniyah Queen at 138 pounds, while DeCaro (38-3), who was third in Region 1, fell, 7-1, to Paterson Kennedy senior Solaris Paul at 165 pounds. Barry, a two-time North 1 region finalist and champion in 2025, was second at this weight in '24. 

"It's definitely good motivation [for 2025-26] to take second place two years in a row," said Barry, who was looking to become the Braves' 83rd state champion overall and first on the female side. Assistant coach Andy Iliff was their last title winner -- back-to-back in 1986-87.

In all, 13 girls from the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area earned medals, including High Point sophomore Ella Poalillo (152) and freshman Elle Changaris (114), who gave High Point two female winners in one tournament for the first time in program history. Poalillo is the first Wildcat -- boy or girl -- to start their career with two state titles. Barry and DeCaro gave the Braves two finalists for the first time since 1971 (Doug Crawn won at heavyweight and Larry Lambert was second at 136). Liliana Zaku-Ramos (126 in 2023) is the only other finalist on the girls' side. 

Can't find winning groove

Barry was never able to get on track in her finals matchup against Queen, a four-time medalist and runner-up in 2023, who converted the opening takedown with a merkle for a 3-1 first-period lead. 

Queen (32-2) added another takedown in the second period and two more in the third, as Barry, who racked up 31 pins this season, managed five escapes and never got a chance to be in the offensive position after taking bottom to start the second period. 

"I just didn't get in my groove, didn't find my rhythm," said Barry, who logged two takedowns and four back points in a 10-8 win over Julia Fongaro of Boonton in the semifinals after pinning her in the North 1 Region finals. "My offense wasn't there ... couldn't get to it. I felt good going into [the final], she just kept shutting down my moves."

Newton-Kittatinny, which graduates nine seniors, finished 13-2 overall and was the No. 2 team in the state behind Jackson Memorial, which handed the Braves a 36-33 loss in the team championships on Feb. 16. Barry will take it upon herself to help lead the next wave of female wrestlers at her school.

"I love my team," Barry said. "It's very supportive. We will all do some recruiting [to get other girls out for the sport] and be a role model for the new girls."

DeCaro had high praise for her teammate.

"She's my best friend ever," DeCaro said. "She's one of the best people to be around and she is one of the best athletes. She's the hardest trainer I've ever met so just being in the [practice] room with her pushes you and motivates you. She's such a kind person that it just makes this whole sport amazing."

Lehigh next stop

DeCaro, who was making her first state finals appearance, also could not get her offense going against Paul (23-1), a two-time third-place finisher and first champ for her school. Paul took a 3-0 lead into the third period after a reversal and added a third-period takedown to ice it. DeCaro nearly stopped Paul in her tracks with a headlock attempt early in the third, but could not finish the move.

Ramos, Barry, DeCaro share an AC moment

"I know Solaris has a whole story and she had such a drive today," said DeCaro, who finishes up at 79-17 overall. "Although I did, too, I think. I just couldn't get the things I needed to get and she capitalized on [her moves]."

DeCaro, who was deeply disappointed with how her final season ended personally, will now look to start another chapter at Lehigh University in the fall. The Mountain Hawks hosted their first official dual in February in their bid to become a Division I program.

"It definitely motivates me in college to do the best I can," DeCaro said.

Like Barry, DeCaro was proud of what they accomplished as a team on the high school level. It's the second time the Braves produced three placewinners in one state tournament as Kailin Lee (fifth at 165) and Gianna Simeone (eighth at 107) joined Zaku-Ramos on the podium in 2023.

"I'm super excited to see where our team goes," DeCaro said. "We're a co-op team so I hope we stay together as long as possible. I just really hope that this sport itself continues to grow."

Back points

Kisselbach (3rd from left) on the podium

Phillipsburg freshman Ellie Kisselbach is only the second Phillipsburg girl to medal with a fourth-place finish at 114 pounds. She joined two-time state champion Jewel Gonzalez (161 pounds in 2019 and '20), who blazed a trail for the Stateliner females. Kisselbach (32-6), whose father, Brad, was a P'burg wrestler and current youth coach, suffered her second loss of the tournament to Gloucester City senior Kloi Tighe -- 4-3 in the bronze medal matchup. Tighe had pinned Kisselbach, who was winning at one point in the rematch, in the quarterfinals.

Sparta junior Paige Weiss earned her third medal with a fourth-place finish at 120 pounds -- dropping an 11-4 decision to Roselle Park's Lucia Ranieri. Weiss (15-6), a former champ at 100 pounds in 2023 and fourth at 114 last year, is the only female to place for the Spartans and is their only three-time medalist for boys or girls. Mark Preston (first at 129 in 1975, second at 122 in '74), John Place (first in '83 and third at 188 in '82) and Steve Swentzel (eighth at 125 in 2001 and 130 in '02) are the Sussex County school's only other multiple placers.

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Delaware Valley produced its first two state placewinners as freshman Lydia Bagley (100) and Emmy Hotz (235) each finished seventh. Bagley (27-7), who secured the program's first medal with a win in the first round of consolations, is a wrestling legacy. Her father, Justin, is one of only four to win four district titles at North Hunterdon (1996-99) and was a member of three sectional championship teams.

Vernon also had two medalists -- giving the program eight overall -- in seniors Caitlin Hart (fifth at 225) and Rowan Waite (seventh at 185). Hart capped her fine career as the Vikings' only four-time placewinner -- finishing fifth (2022), third ('23) and fourth ('24) at 185 pounds in three previous appearances.

Qualitieri and Bagley (far right) on the podium

Lenape Valley sophomore Angelina Qualitieri (fifth at 100) became the first female medalist at her school, while Hunterdon Central junior Emma Peake (fifth at 120) joined her brother, Tanner, as placewinners for the Red Devils. Emma Peake (28-4) is the sixth girl overall to medal at Central and first since Paisley Fox (fourth at 138) and Evelyn Andrade (fifth at 107) did it in 2022. Tanner was a two-time medalist (fourth at 157 in '22 and sixth at 152 in '21).
 

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.

Third-place consolations

100 -- So. Emelly Diaz Santos (33-4), Morris Hills, p. Jr. Nola Allen (29-6), Marlboro, :13.

107 -- Jr. Ava Bonilla (32-4), Jackson Memorial, p. Sr. Gianna Bonaccorso (20-3), Fair Lawn, 2:31.

114 -- Sr. Kloi Tighe (31-2), Gloucester City, d. Fr. Ellie Kisselbach (32-6), Phillipsburg, 6-3.

120 -- Fr. Lucia Ranieri (33-3), Roselle Park, d. Jr. Paige Weiss (15-6), Sparta, 11-4.

126 -- Jr. Cami Bird (31-4), Egg Harbor, p. Jr. Briana Dugo (32-8), Jackson Memorial, 3:15.

132 -- Jr. Leanna Noel (35-7), Bloomfield, d. Sr. Belle Konopka (35-3), Seneca, 3-0.

138 -- Jr. Mariana Puzycki (26-3), Bayonne, p. Sr. Julia Fongaro (30-5), Boonton, 1:46.

145 -- Jr. Gianna Lopez (17-6), Cherry Hill East, d. Sr. Samantha Goworek (13-4), Indian Hills, 9-4.

152 -- Sr. Samira Kupa (29-9), Boonton, p. So. Stella Ramos (32-5), Newton-Kittatinny, :43.

165 -- Jr. Liliana Alicea (33-4), Central Regional, p. Sr. Ari Tyson (21-4), Cherry Hill West, 3:33.

185 -- Sr. Daniela Palacios (22-2), Lakewood, p. Sr. Paris Ford (29-6), Rancocas Valley, 4:14.

235 -- Sr. Antonia Federici (27-4), Gateway-Woodbury, p. Jr. Giovanna Farrell-Byers (29-10), Howell, 2:30.

Fifth-place consolations

100 -- So. Angelina Qualitieri (34-4), Lenape Valley, p. Jr. Emma Acampora (31-4), Rancocas Valley, 3:06.

107 -- Fr. Adrianna DiGregorio (31-3), Williamstown, md. Sr. Aubree Butler (33-7), Rancocas Valley, 10-0.

114 -- Jr. Marlowe Donato (30-9), Jackson Memorial, d. Jr. Madison Blumenthal (21-5), Bordentown-Florence, 4-1.

120 -- Jr. Emma Peake (28-4), Hunterdon Central, p. Fr. Sophia Holmes (30-11), Clayton-Glassboro, 1:11.

126 -- Sr. Madelyn McLaughlin (31-11), Bloomfield, d. So. Polina Shardakova-Scorzafava (32-10), Kinnelon, 4-2.

132 -- So. Sophia Massefski (26-7), Montville, d. Jr. Sophia Klecha (21-5), Pequannock, 5-0.

138 -- Sr. Danna Ramirez (23-6), Ocean City, p. Sr. Gabrielle Roberts (32-8), North Brunswick, 4:37.

145 -- Jr. Charlize Schlam (16-8), Point Pleasant Boro, md. Sr. Adriana Haskin (27-16), Rahway, 12-1.

152 -- Jr. Anshul Kumar (36-9), Somerville, d. Jr. Abbigale Dudley (30-4), Rancocas Valley, 3-0.

165 -- Sr. Kamila Castro (13-6), Ridgewood, p. Fr. Jeveah Turner (29-7), Rancocas Valley, 5:19.

185 -- Fr. Brianna Sandoval (31-3), Bound Brook, p. Sr. Kiana Alvarez (19-3), Elmwood Park, 1:49.

235 -- Sr. Caitlin Hart (31-4), Vernon, p. Sr. Yasmin Garcia (14-5), Rahway, 3:33.

Seventh-place consolations

100 -- Fr. Lydia Bagley (27-7), Delaware Valley, tf. Sr. Elizabeth Avila (26-10), Brick Township, 22-5, 4:19.

107 -- So. Gabriela Giacone (27-9), Watchung Hills, forfeit, So. Olivia Mitchell (31-5), East Brunswick.

114 -- Fr. Sheyna Cruz (26-6), Paulsboro, md. So. Jaliyah Richards (23-11), Scotch Plains-Fanwood, 12-1.

120 -- Fr. Samirah Duron (24-9), Egg Harbor, d. So. Jada Figueroa (34-7), Jackson Memorial, 5-3.

126 -- Jr. Molly Smyth (21-5), Mount Olive, p. Fr. Melanie Hernandez (19-6), Plainfield, 3:12.

132 -- Sr. Eudora Pamphile (27-5), Trenton Central, forfeit, Sr. Eva Altamirano (9-1), South Plainfield. 

138 -- So. Ecrin Haliloglu (28-8), Delran, d. Sr. Aydible Mejia (11-7), Elizabeth, 7-1.

145 -- Sr. Caelum Ritzdorf (19-9), Metuchen, p. Jr. Natalia Rusin (24-10), Middletown South, :43.

152 -- Jr. Alexus Paden (31-8), Clayton-Glassboro, p. So. Eliza Toth (20-11), Point Pleasant Boro, 5:18.

165 -- Jr. Sofia Sousa (30-7), Old Bridge, forfeit, Sr. Emily Breen (16-3), Point Pleasant Boro.

185 -- Sr. Rowan Waite (25-10), Vernon, d. Sr. Carina Rivera (23-11), Nutley, 4-3.

235 -- So. Emmy Hotz (20-4), Delaware Valley, p. Sr. Rahkai Degrasse (24-9), North Brunswick, 1:42.