The Morris Hills Girls Wrestling Team turned an uncertain start into one of the most historic seasons in program and state history.  With the coming of the 2025-2026 wrestling season, the Scarlet Knights faced a few open spots, leaving one to wonder who would fill in the starting varsity lineup after last year’s seniors left their mark.  Entering with five returning seniors: Sophia Salazar, Daniela Hidalgo, Valeria Elao (Morris Knolls), Genesis Perez, and Izvella Avila (Morris Knolls), the Scarlet Knights quickly proved that their senior season was going to be the most memorable one yet, and their determination and leadership quickly proved to be a dominant force on the mat. Although changes were made to the structure of girls’ high school wrestling, including the opportunity to compete for a conference title and qualify for the state’s first-ever State Championship at Rutgers, the girls faced every challenge head-on.

From the beginning of the season, the Morris Hills Girls Wrestling Team found success through dominant dual-meet victories and strong performances against every team in their conference. Despite this success, the team still faced moments of adversity and had to adjust quickly, particularly during the annual Queen of the Hill tournament hosted by Morris Hills. The Queen of the Hill tournament took a devastating turn for the girls, as they were placed into the consolation bracket, or as others call it, the “losers’” bracket.  Facing a hard loss in their own tournament, some believed that the girls had no chance at even being on the cusp of making it far in the State Championship, let alone being in the finals.  They proved to themselves and to everyone that they were wrong… the rest became history. 

As the season progressed, the girls’ team built momentum by dominating every team in their conference, ultimately earning a Conference title for the first time in program history.  Additionally, the girls showed their versatility at the North Jersey Athletic Conference tournament by winning 1st place, for the first time, at what was supposed to be just an individual tournament. Whether through pinning an opponent, technical decisions, or crucial “toss-up” matches, every single girl contributed points that helped push the team forward, driving them closer and closer to a sectional title, with the State Championship nearing, too.  

Blowing past Mount Olive, the girls advanced to the second round of the State Championship, where they faced Ramsey: a team that had defeated them earlier in the season at the Queen of the Hill tournament. With a new mentality and drive to put everything out on the mat, the girls proved themselves as the reigning team against Ramsey, with Zitalee Grande clutching a match that proved her love for the sport, especially with the fuel from her team.  High Point was the next and last team that stood between them and the State Championship, a match that many believed would easily be won by High Point.  In an intensified match where the score was constantly tied or close, Sophia Salazar, the 107 starter, stepped out on the mat and went to work.  Through an intense three periods with screaming from both ends of the benches, Sophia Salazar worked hard to hold off her opponent, winning a crucial match that placed the Morris Hills Girls Wrestling Team into the State Championship tournament.  

Sophia’s win and the journey of the team ultimately led them to Jersey Mike’s Arena at Rutgers University, where they competed in the New Jersey Girls Wrestling Team State Championship, the first girls wrestling state team finals in New Jersey history.  Reaching the arena was not just a milestone for the program but also a testament to their growth and depth as athletes.  Although the outcome was not a state title, the girls finished second in the state, completing a historic season that few could have imagined, except Head Coach Bryant Wanamaker and Assistant Coach Andres Diaz, who believed from the start that their team was capable of achieving this level of success.  Because of them and the endless hours and devotion they put into the team during the wrestling season, the Morris Hills Girls Wrestling Season was a success, and a true testament to their coaching. To all the girls on the team, their continuous effort and dedication to making the sport better for the state and for themselves show not only their success as wrestlers, but also the leadership that they take in pioneering and marking the path for future female wrestlers.  

Despite initial doubt and hesitation, the Morris Hills Girls Wrestling Team goes down in history for the 2025-2026 season as having accomplished everything that they put their minds to.