By NewsLine Staff
mail@floridanewsline.com

On Saturday, Dec. 10, the 2022 FHSAA Girls’ Wrestling State-Runner Up team, Ponte Vedra High School (coached by Nadine Fiege and Alexa Christoforatos), hosted the largest girls wrestling tournament in North Florida. With 25 teams in attendance and 135 wrestlers, the third annual “Own The Ocean” tournament was not only the largest tournament, but also one of the toughest high school girls’ tournaments in the state.

The tournament centered around 16-woman brackets for the 14 weight classes for high school girls. Each weight class was stacked with quality wrestlers, featuring at least three returning State placers from the inaugural 2022 FHSAA State tournament in each bracket, combined with many upcoming experienced wrestlers, as well as ranked wrestlers from other states who relocated to Florida. As a tribute to the ocean theme of Ponte Vedra High School and the tournament name, the champion for each weight class received a real Hawaiian flower lei in addition to a medal.

The top teams from the weekend were No. 1: Freedom High School (2022 State Championship team), with 213 points earned, nearly double the next team behind them. Coming in second was Osceola High School with 108 points, followed by Ponte Vedra just seven points behind second place, with 101 points earned. Ponte Vedra’s top placers at the tournament were Erin Rizzuto, Olivia Richie, Natalia Choquegonza, Sophia Mallon, and Josie Sagasser.

Girls wrestling is the fastest growing high school sport in the country.

Photo courtesy Jessica Berge
The Ponte Vedra High School girls’ wrestling team.

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