YEAR FIVE
First OHSAA state title in program history
After finishing 2nd or 3rd in each of the last four state tournaments, the Pioneers captured the OHSAA state title 95-83 over two-time champion Harrison High School. This past season, the Pioneers finished 14-2 in dual meets and were second in the OHSWCA State Dual Meet Championship, dropping the title bout to Harrison 42-39.
Pre-Regionals 272.0. Watkins Memorial129.0Regionals 236 over Gahanna Lincoln 95won their fourth consecutive district/regional title, outscoring 86 other teams and defeating .
At the state tournament, the team qualified nine state qualifiers and placed five, led by two state finalists in freshman Kenzie Carder at 110 lbs and senior Surraiya Mahmud at 155 lbs. Carder moved into the finals with two pins and a dominant 7-1 win, while Mahmud pulled off one of the wildest end-of-match-results in program history. Down 6-2 with 5 seconds in the state semi-finals, Mahmud scored a reversal and backpoints to tie the match, then won in overtime, 8-6.
The 170 and 190 duo of junior Lydia Heinrich and senior Kascidy Garren each earned third place finishes...with pins that came within seconds of each other on adjoining mats. Senior Josie Nickoloff capped her 4th trip to the state tournament with her first podium placement; Nickoloff also became the first Orange girl to win 100 matches, finishing with 107 on her career. Also qualifying were Alanna Smith (0-2 at 115), Lucy Scheibeck (0-2 at 135), Peyton Johnson (1-2 at 140) and Jenny Huaracha-Arellanos (0-2 at 235). Scheibeck (3x) and Huaracha-Arellanos (2x) are multiple time state qualifiers. At the regional level, sophomores Camille Ramey (105) and Lexie Riley (130) both finished on the podium with a 6th lace finish.
Beyond the mat, the team, wrestlers and coaches have racked up recognition. Kenzie Carder was named CDWCA and Columbus Dispatch Girls Wrestler of the Year, while Coach Nicola earned CDWCA, state and National Coach of the Year honors. Mahmud, Heinrich and Garren also were recognized with first team All-Metro through CDWCA and The Dispatch. Smith (2nd team) and Nickoloff (3rd team) were also listed on CDWCA All-Metro.
Academically, Mahmud, Heinrich and Garren all were state competitors that carry greater than a 3.5 cumulative GPA, earning them Academic All-Ohio (not open to freshmen). The starting line-up from sectionals also earned Team Academic All-Ohio, with over a 3.3 GPA.