FULTON – The 2022 – 2023 Fulton Wrestling Season is coming to a close. This past year, an exciting new chapter was added to its long, storied history. What made these last few months very unique, was including Varsity Girls Wrestling as part of G. Ray Bodley High School’s winter sports program. Based on the results, it was a successful first year for this new team.
This past October, the Fulton Board of Education approved this new girls’ sport. There was already heavy interest in this possibility and then there was much more, once it was given the official go ahead.
Over 20 girls signed up, anxious to become part of this very strong tradition in this community and be the trail blazers for the future teams.
According to the NYS Girls Wrestling Task Force, Fulton was second in the State for having the most wrestlers sign up. Only the Capital Region’s Shenendahowa High had more participants,
The Fulton Wrestling Club has a newly constructed facility on the city’s East side that enables wrestlers of all ages, the opportunity to practice year round.
This new building became the winter home for the all-girls squad to hone their skills every day after school. The team was Coached by Mexico native Madison Himes and Fulton alumni Becka Pawloski.
Team Captain Emily Barrett (a junior), was the first wrestler to take the mat for the Inaugural Girls Team during their opening event at the War Memorial in early December. She won by a pin! They were off to a positive start, very supportive and were extremely enthusiastic for all of their teammates.
“I think this season went great.” “There was tons of improvement amongst the girls. Some of these girls have never wrestled in their life and then made it to the state tournament. Not only was there improvement in the wrestling skills, there was improvement with everyone’s relationship with each other,” Barrett said.
Also saying, “The highlights were definitely winning the first girls match at home, winning the Haines Tournament, going undefeated for most of the season, and just all the fun we had at practices as well. There was so much to build off of and many enjoyable memories with my teammates and coaching staff.”
Similar to the boys, there are many girls on the team that had family members that were previously part the Fulton Wrestling program. Senior Bella Bogardus (126 pounds) is the daughter of Shane (1992) and sister of Ian Bogardus (2020).
Freshmen Katharine DeMars (138 pounds) is the daughter of Chris DeMars (1998) and Maddie LaBeef (126 pounds) is the daughter of Don LaBeef (1984). Junior Rebekah May (126 pounds) is the sister of Jake (2018) and Sam May (2021).
Senior Harper McClave (126 pounds) and freshman Eva Meeker (132 pounds) are the sister and cousin of Cameron Mills (2007). Lastly, sophomore Isabella Rodriguez (185 pounds) is the daughter of Edgar Rodriguez (1996).
In another historic first, sophomore Marissa Crofoot and senior boys wrestler Wally Crofoot, Jr. became the first brother and sister duo on the Varsity Boys and Girls Teams during the same season.
Also making its’ debut this year is the New York State Girls Wrestling Tournament which took place at the SRC Arena at Onondaga Community College this past January. Participants were selected based on experience, grade and representation across the State.
The Fulton Red Raiders had seven wrestlers that were chosen for this first time event:
Junior Tessa Newton (100 pounds), Bella Bogardus (120 pounds), sophomore Cassie Clarke (126 pounds) junior Ciara Okoniewski (145 pounds), Riley Kempson (185 pounds), Emily Barrett (185 pounds), and Marissa Crofoot (235 pounds) and freshman Maddie LaBeef (126 pounds) was an alternate. Tessa Newton became the first to place in this tournament coming in 6th.
According to New York Wrestling News, Fulton was tied for 2nd with Holland Patent and Chautauqua Lake for having the most number of wrestlers at this State tournament with 7. Long Island’s Bayshore High School had the most number of competitors at this event with 8.
The other Fulton Girls that were part of this year’s team, most of whom are likely returning next year, are freshmen Audrini Cocopoti (126 pounds), Grace Giles (126 pounds) and Peyton Newton (160 pounds); Sophomores Shelby Dopp (126 pounds) and Allie Swick (152 pounds).
In addition to Harper McClave and Bella Bogardus, Riley Kempton (185 pounds) and Gretchen Purvis (172 pounds) were the seniors who helped lead this squad.
“These girls and myself worked our butts off this year and it paid off. I cannot be more thankful and proud of these girls. I think we are all striving to get to states and place next year,” concluded Barrett.
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