Colts Neck’s Alexandra Tchekounova made the podium in Philipsburg with a fourth-place finish at 107 pounds. She’s the Cougars first state medalist in girls wrestling. Courtesy Colts Neck Athletics 
Caitlyn O’Reilly, left, and Thea Rowland, center, earned state medalist honors representing Middletown South at the girls state wrestling championships at Phillipsburg High School. Courtesy Middletown South Athletics
By Rich Chrampanis
In 2018, New Jersey became the 13th state in the country to sanction girls wrestling for an official state championship. In five short years, there are now 695 female wrestlers competing in New Jersey, according to the National Wrestling Coaches Association.
The NJSIAA moved the girls tournament from Atlantic City to Phillipsburg High School in 2021, but after numerous champions protested publicly following wins at regionals, the NJSIAA announced that the state championship girls matches will return to Boardwalk Hall this weekend.
Last Sunday saw Phillipsburg host the girls regional tournament. Three local trailblazing wrestlers finished just shy of reaching Atlantic City, but earned medalist honors. Middletown South’s Caitlyn O’Reilly finished third in the state at 114 pounds; her Eagles teammate Thea Rowland took fourth place at 145 pounds. Colts Neck’s Alexandra Tchekounova is the Cougars first girls wrestling state medalist with a fourth-place effort at 107 pounds.
The article originally appeared in the March 2 – 8, 2023 print edition of The Two River Times.
