Valley Forge High School’s Patriots women’s wrestling program turned in a strong showing at the OHSAA Sectional Tournament in Avon Lake on March 1, highlighted by a sectional championship from heavyweight standout Hadeel Abuqbitta and a pair of runner-up finishes. Competing against a deep field at 175 Avon Belden Road, the Patriots placed multiple wrestlers on the podium and positioned the team well for advancement to the next round of the postseason.

Abuqbitta led the way for Valley Forge by capturing first place in the 235-pound weight class, securing the team’s lone sectional title of the day. Wrestling out of the heavyweight division, Abuqbitta navigated her bracket with poise, using her strength and mat awareness to control ties and capitalize on scoring opportunities. Her finish at the top of the podium gives the Patriots an anchor at the upper weights as the postseason continues.

At 155 pounds, Joanna Torres added to the Patriots’ medal count with a second-place finish. Torres advanced through the bracket with key wins to reach the finals, where she ultimately settled for runner-up but still secured a high placement in one of the event’s most competitive weight classes. Her performance at 155 demonstrated both consistency and resilience, giving Valley Forge an important point producer in the middle of the lineup.

The Patriots also received a significant contribution at 190 pounds from Zyaira Brashers, who matched Torres with a second-place finish in her bracket. Brashers battled through the upper-middleweight field, using solid positioning and defense to reach the championship bout. Though she came up just short of a title, her runner-up result at 190 underscored the depth Valley Forge is developing in the upper weights and added another strong postseason résumé to the roster.

Together, the top finishes from Abuqbitta, Torres and Brashers gave the Patriots three podium wrestlers in the higher weight classes, a critical area in tournament formats where pins and bonus-point victories can swing team standings. While individual match scores and final team totals were not available, Valley Forge’s ability to place multiple athletes near the top of their brackets reflected both the growth of the program and the team’s competitiveness against regional competition.

With a sectional champion at 235 and second-place efforts at 155 and 190, the Patriots leave Avon Lake with momentum and valuable postseason experience. As the tournament trail continues into district and potential state competition, Abuqbitta, Torres and Brashers are expected to be key figures for Valley Forge, giving the Patriots a strong core to build around in the weeks ahead.

Full bout-by-bout results and official advancement details will be determined as the OHSAA finalizes brackets and qualifiers, but the Patriots’ performance at the sectional tournament established a clear benchmark: Valley Forge’s women’s wrestling program is emerging as a contender, particularly in the upper weight classes, and has laid a solid foundation for future success on the postseason stage.