Knockout Girls Recap
Freedom took care of business in the team race, but the Patriots’ championship run was built far more on depth than star power. While Mekialla Mauvais delivered a marquee performance with a title at 235, Freedom truly separated itself by putting wrestlers on the podium at six additional weights. That steady accumulation of placement points allowed the Patriots to pull away as the tournament progressed, especially in the middle and upper weights where consistency across rounds proved more valuable than isolated big-point swings.
Behind them, the race for second place stayed tight deep into the finals, with Viera ultimately emerging as the runner-up with 118 points. Florida Christian and Mater Lakes were right on their heels, followed closely by St. John Neumann to round out the top five. Notably, no school finished with more than one individual champion, a clear reflection of just how deep and balanced this year’s field was from top to bottom.
We took video of each of the finals, but haven’t had a chance to process them yet. Look for them to be posted in the coming days. Also - Ward Wrestling took a ton of pics - you can find the Knockout galleries HERE.
100 lbs.
Breanna Higgins (Camden County) put together one of the most complete title runs of the event at 100 pounds, showing control and composure from start to finish. After opening with a quick fall, Higgins made her biggest statement in the quarterfinals with a decisive major decision over Isabella Cullen, then followed it up by handing Rebecca Marin her first loss of the season in a 7–2 semifinal win. In the championship bout, Higgins stayed poised against the explosive Paola Perez, weathering late offense to secure a 9–6 decision and cap an unbeaten run that featured consistency rather than reliance on bonus points. Her ability to dictate pace against multiple high-level opponents set her apart in a deep bracket.
Behind the champion, the race for the remaining podium spots delivered much of the drama. Perez powered into the finals with multiple tech falls and a major decision, while Marin rebounded impressively after her semifinal loss, tearing through the consolation bracket before earning third place with a major decision over Cullen. Cullen’s own path stood out after an early loss to Higgins, as she battled back with falls, a tech fall, and a narrow decision to reach the third-place match. Notable momentum swings came from Aniyah Whayne’s quarterfinal upset of Addie Shaw and strong consolation pushes from wrestlers like Sophie Booe and Zoelie Bui, underscoring the depth of the field and making the 100-pound bracket one of the most competitive and storyline-rich weights of the tournament.
1st Place – Breanna Higgins, Camden County
2nd Place – Paola Perez, Mater Lakes Academy
3rd Place – Rebecca Marin, Doral Academy
4th Place – Isabella Cullen, Troy Buchanan
105 lbs.
Grace Jawulski (Brandon) delivered a championship performance that left little doubt at 105 pounds, rolling to the title with authority and composure. Jawulski opened with quick falls and never allowed a match to drift into danger, including a dominant semifinal fall over Kiera Partello that showcased her ability to separate from elite competition. In the finals, she faced a tough and experienced Joslyn Johnson, but Jawulski controlled the exchanges, scoring consistently on her way to a convincing 10–3 decision. The unbeaten run underscored her efficiency — scoring early, managing position, and never needing last-second heroics to secure the top spot.
The battle behind her produced much of the bracket’s intrigue, especially on the consolation side. Johnson earned her finals berth with a steady semifinal win over Hananeel Gregoire, while Partello rebounded impressively after her semifinal loss, navigating the backside before earning third place with a dominant major decision over Gregoire. Gregoire’s own run included a strong quarterfinal major and a tech fall in the consolation semis, while Tiffany Francisco and Hadassa Majano Herrera both put together multiple-match win streaks after early setbacks. Overall, the 105-pound bracket featured a clear champion at the top, but the depth and volatility underneath made the placement rounds highly competitive and underscored just how deep the field was at this weight.
1st Place – Grace Jawulski, Brandon
2nd Place – Joslyn Johnson, Flagler Palm Coast
3rd Place – Kiera Partello, Barron G. Collier
4th Place – Hananeel Gregoire, Freedom
110 lbs.
Jazlyn Diaz (Riverdale) was dominant from the opening whistle to the final bout, rolling through the 110-pound bracket without ever being threatened. Diaz opened the tournament with lightning-fast falls and continued that pace deep into the bracket, including a sub-minute quarterfinal fall of Peyton Rego and a decisive semifinal pin over Gabriela Kerber. In the championship match, Diaz left no doubt, overwhelming Zoey McDonald with steady pressure before securing the fall midway through the bout. The undefeated run reinforced Diaz’s status as the clear class of the field, as she relied on relentless offense and positional control rather than allowing matches to extend.
Behind the title match, the placement rounds were defined by resilience and long consolation runs. McDonald earned her way into the finals with a strong decision win over Addilyn Amos, while Kerber rebounded impressively after her semifinal loss, navigating the backside before pinning Amileshka Ortiz-Nunez to claim third place. Ortiz-Nunez’s tournament was one of the more notable bounce-back efforts, as she fought through multiple consolation rounds after an early championship-side loss to reach the podium match. Addilyn Amos, Brynlee Mooney, and Scarlett Huaman each showed flashes of momentum with bonus-point wins, underscoring the depth of the bracket and making the road to the podium as demanding as the championship path itself.
1st Place – Jazlyn Diaz, Riverdale
2nd Place – Zoey McDonald, St. John Neumann
3rd Place – Gabriela Kerber, Freedom
4th Place – Amileshka Ortiz-Nunez, Lake Gibson
115 lbs.
Camdyn Elliott (Gulf Breeze) emerged as the 115-pound champion after a tournament that tested both her offense and her composure. Elliott was dominant through the early rounds, piling up falls on the championship side and controlling her semifinal against Mackenzie Allcroft to reach the finals. In the title match, however, Elliott was pushed hard by Melissa Gallo in a tight, physical battle that stayed low-scoring throughout. Gallo forced extended hand-fighting and positional exchanges, but Elliott stayed disciplined defensively and capitalized on a narrow opening to earn a hard-fought 3–1 decision, showing she could win when a match didn’t break open.
The rest of the bracket was defined by resilience and movement in the consolation rounds. Allcroft’s quarterfinal major decision over Fallon Dames reshuffled the podium race early, but Dames responded with one of the strongest backside runs of the tournament, stringing together multiple falls before finishing third with a major decision over Allcroft. Gallo’s path to the finals included several decisive wins and underscored how close the championship bout truly was, while LilyAna Calzadilla fought deep into the wrestlebacks after an early loss, collecting bonus points along the way. In the end, 115 pounds delivered both a tightly contested final and a volatile backside that made placement anything but straightforward.
1st Place – Camdyn Elliott, Gulf Breeze
2nd Place – Melissa Gallo, Florida Christian
3rd Place – Fallon Dames, Middleburg
4th Place – Mackenzie Allcroft, Fort Pierce Central
120 lbs.
Abigail Gonzalez (Miami Southridge) asserted herself as the clear standout at 120 pounds, overwhelming the field with pace and finishing ability. Gonzalez opened the tournament with a series of quick pins, then separated from the bracket in the semifinals with a 15–0 tech fall over Caitlin Bohrer. In the championship match, she left no doubt, securing a rapid fall over Catalina Kenney in just 40 seconds to cap a dominant title run. Gonzalez dominated every match from the opening whistle, she is easily the best wrestler in the state.
The fight for the remaining podium spots delivered the depth and drama of the bracket. Kenney reached the finals with a tech fall in the quarterfinals and a fast semifinal pin, while Anabella Junco rebounded strongly after an early loss to Gonzalez, navigating the backside with a mix of majors and decisions before pinning Paola Blanco-Cruz to claim third. Blanco-Cruz’s own consolation run featured multiple falls and a major decision, highlighting her ability to respond after being knocked into wrestlebacks early. With several athletes stringing together multi-match rallies on the back side, 120 pounds paired a dominant champion with a volatile and competitive placement race underneath.
1st Place – Abigail Gonzalez, Miami Southridge
2nd Place – Catalina Kenney, Viera
3rd Place – Anabella Junco, Florida Christian
4th Place – Paola Blanco-Cruz, Olympic Heights
125 lbs.
Arianna Ruiz (Mater Lakes Academy) delivered a composed and authoritative performance to claim the 125-pound title, steadily separating herself from a deep field. Ruiz moved efficiently through the championship side with multiple falls, including a semifinal pin over Ryauna Nepomuceno, before meeting Caly Rodriguez in the finals. The title bout was more tactical than explosive, but Ruiz controlled position throughout and limited Rodriguez’s offense, pulling away in the 2nd period for a 9–0 major decision. The win capped an unbeaten run that showcased Ruiz’s balance between finishing ability early in the tournament and discipline when the stakes were highest.
The rest of the bracket was shaped by early disruption and strong recovery runs. Nepomuceno’s quarterfinal fall over Savanna Porter flipped the second quarter of the bracket, sending Porter into the wrestlebacks earlier than expected. Porter responded with one of the more impressive consolation rallies of the weight, stringing together falls and major decisions before earning third place with a dominant win over Nepomuceno. Cameron Lord and Kaja Williams also factored heavily into the placement rounds with quality wins, underscoring the depth at 125. In the end, Ruiz stood clearly on top, but the movement underneath made the podium race far from straightforward.
1st Place – Arianna Ruiz, Mater Lakes Academy
2nd Place – Caly Rodriguez, Brandon
3rd Place – Savanna Porter, St. John Neumann
4th Place – Ryauna Nepomuceno, Viera
130 lbs.
Chaos defined the 130-pound bracket from start to finish, with momentum swings on nearly every round and an unexpected ending. Kami Rice (Charlotte) navigated a turbulent championship side, mixing control and urgency to reach the finals, including a key decision win over highly credentialed Taimane Benemerito in the semifinals. On the other side, Elliotte Strange (Conroe The Woodlands) surged into the title bout with decisive wins of her own, but the championship match ended abruptly when Strange was forced to default due to injury just 40 seconds in, handing Rice the title. While the ending was unfortunate, Rice’s path to the finals showed she was equipped to survive one of the most volatile brackets of the tournament.
The chaos was even more pronounced underneath. Paola Ramirez (Freedom) was knocked into the consolations early after a quarterfinal loss but responded with a relentless backside run, piling up falls and controlled decisions before earning third place with a dominant major over Kamiah Ross. Ross herself rebounded after an early loss, storming through the wrestlebacks with bonus-point wins to reach the podium match. Adalyne Fowls, Aaliyah Triplett, and Olivia Gapud all played spoiler roles at different points, flipping expected outcomes and reshaping the bracket repeatedly. With early-round upsets, constant reshuffling, and a podium decided as much by resilience as seeding, 130 pounds stood out as the most unpredictable weight of the event.
1st Place – Kami Rice, Charlotte
2nd Place – Elliotte Strange, Conroe The Woodlands
3rd Place – Paola Ramirez, Freedom
4th Place – Kamiah Ross, Tampa Bay Tech
135 lbs.
At 135 pounds, the bracket followed form at the top, with the top four seeds all advancing to the semifinals, setting up a championship round that reflected the pre-tournament expectations. Ella Hughes (Jefferson) was the clear tone-setter, ripping through the top side with a series of quick falls and never allowing a match to stretch. In the finals, Hughes wasted little time against Sarah Walsh, breaking through early and securing the fall to cap another dominant showing. Walsh’s run to the title bout was strong in its own right, highlighted by a decisive semifinal win, but Hughes’ pace and pressure ultimately proved too much.
The fight for the remaining podium spots delivered the intrigue. Eysis Estes-Brinson (Miami Palmetto) dropped a competitive semifinal to Walsh, then rebounded with authority on the backside, pinning her way through the consolations before earning third place with a tech fall over Eduarda Franklin Soares. Soares’ path mirrored that resilience, as she responded to her semifinal loss with a strong consolation run of her own to reach the third-place match. With seeds holding firm through the front side and sharp separation among the semifinalists, 135 stood out as one of the more orderly brackets of the tournament — yet still demanded toughness and depth to survive the placement rounds.
1st Place – Ella Hughes, Jefferson
2nd Place – Sarah Walsh, Middleburg
3rd Place – Eysis Estes-Brinson, Miami Palmetto
4th Place – Eduarda Franklin Soares, Freedom
140 lbs.
Zoe Delgado (Florida Christian School) emerged as the class of the 140-pound bracket, pairing steady control with timely offense to secure the title. Delgado worked her way through the championship side with a series of falls, including a key semifinal pin over Kailani Barrientos that underscored her ability to stay composed in longer matches. In the finals, she faced Julianna Caisse, who had looked sharp all tournament, but Delgado dictated the pace from the opening exchanges, piling up points and pulling away for a convincing 15–5 major decision. The championship bout showed Delgado’s separation late, as she consistently turned defense into offense and never let Caisse gain momentum.
Behind the title match, the podium race featured several strong rebound efforts. Barrientos responded well after her semifinal loss, powering through the consolation rounds with a tech fall and earning third place by pinning A’Niyah Leon-Goodrich, who herself had battled back through the backside with multiple falls and a tech fall to reach the placement match. Maryellen Wingate and Ennis Coakley both made noise on the front side before being knocked into the wrestlebacks, contributing to a deep and competitive middle of the bracket. While Delgado stood clearly on top, the movement underneath highlighted the depth at 140 and the difficulty of navigating both sides of the bracket to reach the podium.
1st Place – Zoe Delgado, Florida Christian
2nd Place – Julianna Caisse, St. John Neumann
3rd Place – Kailani Barrientos, Oakleaf
4th Place – A`Niyah Leon-Goodrich, Miami Southridge
145 lbs.
Ailee Briggs (Lemon Bay) controlled the 145-pound bracket from the opening round and left little doubt at the top. Briggs ripped through the championship side with lightning-fast falls, including a 11-second pin in the quarterfinals and a semifinal fall over Ceajah Brown, before meeting Arianna Antoniou in the finals. Antoniou had survived a dramatic sudden-victory semifinal against Alena Rik to reach the title bout, but Briggs’ pace and pressure proved decisive. The championship match showed Briggs’ ability to separate late, as she pulled away for a commanding 15–6 major decision to cap an unbeaten and emphatic title run.
The rest of the bracket delivered constant movement and tight margins, particularly on the bottom half. Rik’s tournament was defined by resilience after her narrow sudden-victory loss in the semifinals, as she stormed through the consolations with a pin in the consi semis before edging Brown in another sudden-victory bout to secure third place. Brown’s own run included a semifinal appearance and a strong bounce-back performance to reach the placement match, while Brooklynn Hughes and Zoe Goode both made extended pushes on the backside after early losses. With multiple overtime matches, bonus-point swings, and contrasting styles throughout, 145 pounds blended dominance at the top with chaos and grit underneath.
1st Place – Ailee Briggs, Lemon Bay
2nd Place – Arianna Antoniou, East Lake
3rd Place – Alena Rik, Mater Lakes Academy
4th Place – Ceajah Brown, Freedom
155 lbs.
Mackenzie Schultz (Enterprise) was untouchable at 155 pounds, powering through the bracket with relentless pressure and finishing ability. Schultz stormed through the championship side with falls in every round, including a lightning-fast semifinal pin of Claire Guydon to secure her spot in the finals. Zaria Slater emerged from the opposite side with strong wins of her own, but the title bout followed the same script as the rest of Schultz’s tournament. Schultz steadily broke Slater down and secured the fall midway through the match, capping a dominant, unbeaten run that left no doubt about the top spot at this weight.
The fight behind Schultz featured far more movement and competitive balance. Guydon rebounded impressively after her semifinal loss, pinning her way through the consolation bracket before earning third place with a decisive fall over Lyla Kasztner. Kasztner’s own run stood out after an early loss to Schultz, as she battled back through multiple backside rounds to reach the placement match. Bianca Barbarossi and Alisha Vilar both made deep pushes before being stopped, adding to the depth of the bracket. While the championship was one-sided, the battle for the podium showcased toughness, resilience, and the grind required to survive the backside at 155.
1st Place – Mackenzie Schultz, Enterprise
2nd Place – Zaria Slater, Lake Mary
3rd Place – Claire Guydon, Conroe The Woodlands
4th Place – Lyla Kasztner, Olympic Heights
170 lbs.
Isabella McFarlane (King) delivered a composed and workmanlike championship run at 170 pounds, separating herself with consistency rather than chaos. McFarlane advanced through the championship side with a series of controlled falls, then met a tough test in the finals against Alexa Calidonio. The title bout was tight and physical, with both wrestlers hand-fighting and battling for position, but McFarlane stayed disciplined, defended cleanly, and capitalized on her scoring opportunities to earn a 3–0 decision. It was a championship performance built on patience and positioning, capping an unbeaten tournament for McFarlane.
The bracket underneath was far more volatile, especially on the bottom half. Savanah Nazario-Darnell rebounded strongly after a quarterfinal loss to Quisiera Wilson, ripping through the consolation rounds with a mix of falls and close decisions before pinning Wilson in the third-place match. Wilson’s own path included a semifinal appearance and a dominant consolation semifinal major decision, underscoring how narrow the margins were between podium contenders. Amaris Echezarreta and Breann Cullen both factored heavily into the medal race before being edged out late, highlighting the depth at 170. While McFarlane stood steady at the top, the scramble for third showcased just how demanding and unforgiving the backside of this bracket proved to be.
1st Place – Isabella Mcfarlane, King
2nd Place – Alexa Calidonio, Flagler Palm Coast
3rd Place – Savanah Nazario-Darnell, Viera
4th Place – Quisiera Wilson, Lincoln Park Academy
190 lbs.
Hazuki Sykes (Sumner) set the tone at 190 pounds with a composed and increasingly dominant run to the title. Sykes worked efficiently through the championship side, advancing with a fall in the quarterfinals before turning away a strong challenge from Arheanna Bryan in the semifinals with a controlled 6–3 decision. In the finals, Sykes separated herself completely from the field, overwhelming Aimar Donastorg with pace and pressure to secure a 16–2 major decision. The championship bout highlighted Sykes’ ability to score from multiple positions and steadily widen the gap rather than rely on a single big moment.
The battle for the remaining podium spots was far more volatile. Bryan responded well after her semifinal loss, storming through the consolations with a lightning-fast pin in the consi semis before finishing third with another fall over Gabriel Daniels. Daniels’ path included a narrow semifinal loss and a clutch rebound in the backside to reach the placement match, while Donastorg’s tight semifinal win over Daniels underscored how thin the margins were among the top contenders. With several wrestlers trading momentum through the wrestlebacks and decisive finishes throughout, 190 pounds paired a clear champion at the top with a wide-open and physical race underneath.
1st Place – Hazuki Sykes, Sumner
2nd Place – Aimar Donastorg, Freedom
3rd Place – Arheanna Bryan, Taravella
4th Place – Gabriel Daniels, Camden County
235 lbs.
Mekialla Mauvais (Freedom) left no doubt at the top of the 235-pound bracket, powering her way to the championship with authority. Mauvais controlled the championship side from the outset, securing falls in both the quarterfinals and semifinals before meeting Kenzie Barrett in the title bout. The finals was different as Barrett got the first takedown and took a 3-0 lead into the 2nd period. Mauvais took Barrett to her back and got the fall in the 2nd for the 235 lb. title. The undefeated run highlighted Mauvais’ ability to impose her strength and pace, separating herself from the rest of the field.
Behind the champion, the race for the podium featured constant movement and quick finishes. Barrett’s run to the finals included a strong semifinal pin over Jeralyn Spear, while Spear rebounded impressively after that loss, storming through the consolation rounds to claim third place with another fall. Makayla Brianvil also mounted a notable backside push, stringing together multiple pins before falling just short in the third-place match. With nearly every placement bout ending by fall and little margin for error, 235 pounds was defined by decisive finishes and physical wrestling throughout, even as Mauvais stood firmly atop the weight.
1st Place – Mekialla Mauvais, Freedom
2nd Place – Kenzie Barrett, South Dade
3rd Place – Jeralyn Spear, Troy Buchanan
4th Place – Makayla Brianvil, Lincoln Park Academy