Wayland, MA – On Sunday February 12th, BYW brought 6 female wrestlers from four Boston schools (Eliot K-8, O’Bryant, Frederick, City On A Hill) to compete at the MASCO Girls New England Wrestling Championships hosted by MASCO and Wayland High School. This was the second consecutive year that BYW brought a team to this all-girls tournament, and for the second year in a row, all wrestlers competing medaled in their respective weight classes.

For the first time, a BYW wrestler took home a first place trophy. Kaylalee Ortiz, a second year BYW wrestler and eighth grader at the Lilla G Frederick Middle School, was a reluctant competitor in her first year. Last summer, her coaches nominated Ortiz to intern in BYW’s Junior Coaching and Youth Leadership Program which helped to develop her confidence and skills. This year, Ortiz was named her team’s captain and throughout the season demonstrated perseverance and grit. In her final round match in the 137 pound weight class, Ortiz needed overtime to decide the match. In the first sudden victory, Ortiz scrambled out of a dire situation to preserve the tie 7-7. In the second sudden victory Ortiz came away victorious with a last gasp escape point with 0:14 seconds remaining in the match, and to take home the 1st Place trophy.

MASCO Girls New England Championships Place Winners

Middle School Division
Raquel Rico, 128 lbs, 2nd Place
Kaylalee Ortiz, 137 lbs, 1st Place
Meile Andrade, 106 lbs, 2nd Place

High School Division
Miyah Rivera, 106 lbs, 3rd Place
Mariama Savage, 150 lbs, 5th Place
Barbara Francois, 193 lbs, 5th Place

BYW next plans to take the girls team to the State Girls’ Folkstyle Championships at Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) on March 5th.