At Inaugural NYSPHSAA Girls Wrestling Invitational
Submitted by BNL Varsity Wrestling Coach Wade Prather
Tallulah Powers was runner-up at 165 pounds in the inaugural NYSPHSAA Girls Wrestling Invitational held at Onondaga Community College. She was one of only three finalists from Section 2, and the only Runner Up. The meeting of 204 of the State’s top female wrestlers is the first of its kind in New York State. Just this year New York sanctioned Girls Wrestling giving it an Emerging Sport status. Powers was selected as Section 2’s top entry at the 165 pound class and was seeded first in her 16 girl bracket.
In the opening round of wrestling Powers pinned Ava Bragg of Lockport, the eventual third place finisher with a throw in the first period. She then met Jade Cook of Corning, who went on to place fourth in the quarter final, round also pinning her in the first period. In the semifinals she had a defensive battle with sixth place finisher Leylani Wiltshire of Oneonta, edging her out 6-2. In the finals Powers met Renne Kinikin of Mexico, NY. Knowing her to be a thrower, Powers defended a headlock from Kinikin well, but missed her footing on the mat return and ended up caught on her back. She was pinned midway through the first period.
The showing by Powers is the only State appearance, or placement of any wrestler, boy or girl, from the BNL Wrestling team ever. Making it even more impressive is that Powers is only a first year wrestler, having never stepped on a wrestling mat before November. Powers finished out this season with a 21-4 record. Only a junior, Powers will have another shot to climb the podium for a State Championship next year.
