Top performances, results from the Bergen County girls wrestling tournament

ELMWOOD PARK — Taylor Peterson has used a blue-collar motto on the way to the top.

"She says it all the time: Training sucks, but you know what? Winning is fun," Garfield coach Aaron Khan said.

Maybe no one had more fun on Sunday than Peterson, who was named Most Outstanding Wrestler at the third-annual BCWCA girls invitational. Neither a sprained MCL nor a state medalist could stop her from winning gold in the 145-pound bracket.

The Garfield junior pinned three opponents in less than seven minutes, including Alexa Firestone of Kingsway in the final.

It was a bit of personal redemption, too, after second-place finishes in 2020 and 2021.

"It feels really nice," Peterson said. "I just stayed calm through the whole match. I didn't get mad or sad. I just stayed even."

Participation doubled at this year's BCWCA tournament with a record 180 athletes, including 18 returning state place-winners. Bloomfield's Kira Pipkins and Gianna Faura became the event's first three-time champions with titles at 120 and 235 pounds, respectively.

Family ties were another common theme with title runs by Paramus' Olivia Klein (100), Ridgefield Park's Theresa Zeppetelli (107) and Immaculate Conception's Jenna Filieri (152). All three are younger sisters of county champions.

For a while, it wasn't clear if Peterson would be able to join them atop the podium. She had an uphill battle against Firestone, a returning state third, who circled behind twice in the first period to take a 4-2 lead.

The tide turned in the second period when Peterson used a single-leg takedown to set up a pin in 3:35.

Khan said one of the big differences for Peterson this season is being able to pair her natural athleticism with more strategy. It's helped her overcome a knee injury that kept her off the mat until a week before the season.

"She was able to bounce back from defeat at the beginning of the season," Khan said. "It humbled her. She's smart. She's in the room putting in the time and the effort and asking questions."

"When she has the confidence, there's no stopping her."

Piece of history

Bergenfield's Elin Santos went out with a bang in the 235+ final.

Santos downed Antonia Federici-Bradshaw of Kingsway in the last match of the day to become the Bears' first county champion (male or female) since Rich Torres in 2010. After allowing the first takedown, Santos regrouped and pinned in 3:45.

"It feels pretty cool," Santos said. "I think it was just my stamina. She was beating me in the beginning. I think the fact that I had a little bit better conditioning helped me."

Santos is one of five female wrestlers on the Bears. (Her sister Emie Santos took silver at 235 moments before.)

The senior was proud of her latest win, but stopped short of calling it her biggest.

"To be honest, I don't really think so," Santos said. "Hopefully there's better ones coming soon."

Highlander breaks through

Northern Highlands 138-pounder Amanda Connors pinned Boonton's Samira Kupa in 3:11 for her first title and third overall medal.

Connors pinned Kupa in both previous meetings, although this one was a little tricky. For one, Connors had to overcome an early seven-point deficit in the first period.

"She got a lot better," Connors said. "She's looking more at what her opponent is doing and working off that with a defensive style. I worked mostly from bottom with her. My strategy was to just take whatever she gives me."

Connors used a roll move made popular by a former Olympic champion to complete her win.

"I got my shoes signed by Ben Peterson," Connors said. "So that's like my move."

Finals

100: Olivia Klein (Paramus) Dec Aaliyah Payne-Parris (Newton), 4-2.

107: Theresa Zeppetelli (Ridgefield Park/Bogota) Fall Litzy Argueta (Lakewood), 0:27.

114: Riley Lerner (Cedar Creek) Dec Lilliana Zaku-Ramos (Kittatiny), 7-1.

120: Kira Pipkins (Bloomfield) Fall Alexandria Graffius (Holy Spirit), 0:51.

126: Julia Fongaro (Boonton) Fall Tatiana Walker (Pennsauken), 2:33.

132: Angelina Leone (Egg Harbor Township) Fall Kayla Franson (Paramus), 1:22.

138: Amanda Connors (Northern Highlands) Fall Samira Kupa (Boonton), 3:11.

145: Taylor Peterson (Garfield) Fall Alexa Firestone (Kingsway), 3:35.

152: Jenna Filieri (Lodi/IC) Dec Kyla Norman (Kingsway), 1-0.

165: Kierra Hubmaster (Kittatinny) Dec Noelle Gaffney (High Point), 3-0.

185: Amanda Pace (North Bergen) Fall Hannah Dahl (Pennsauken), 2:22.

235: Gianna Faura (Bloomfield) Dec over Emie Santos (Bergenfield), 4-1.

235+: Elin Santos (Bergenfield) Fall Antonia Federici-Bradshaw (Kingsway), 3:45.

Semifinals

100

Olivia Klein (Paramus) Fall Yasmine Yalowitz (Fort Lee), 1:48.

Aaliyah Payne-Parris (Newton) Fall Mariah Koster (Nutley), 1:24.

107

Theresa Zeppetelli (Ridgefield Park/Bogota) Fall Emme Hoarle (Somerville), 0:56.

Litzy Argueta (Lakewood) Fall Gianna Simeone (Newton), 1:50.

114

Riley Lerner (Cedar Creek) Maj-Dec Valarie Maldonado (Somerville), 10-0.

Lilliana Zaku-Ramos (Kittatinny) Fall Lennix Horsburgh (Bound Brook), 3:47.

120

Kira Pipkins (Bloomfield) Fall Isabella Valentino (Kingsway), 0:31.

Alexandria Graffius (Holy Spirit) Dec Natalia Morales (Hackensack), 2-1.

126

Julia Fongaro (Boonton) Fall Dakota Dallison (Columbia), 2:34.

Tatiana Walker (Pennsauken) Fall Natalie Tucker (Vernon), 6:25.

132

Angelina Leone (Egg Harbor Twp) Fall Emmalyne Dugan (Bayonne), 0:33.

Kayla Franson (Paramus) Fall Ayesha Payne-Parris (Newton), 2:10.

138

Amanda Connors (Northern Highlands) Fall Carney Wyble (High Point), 1:51.

Samira Kupa (Boonton) Fall Grace Kaczanowski (Bridgewater/Raritan), 1:06.

145

Alexa Firestone (Kingsway) Maj-Dec Ve`Shae Polite (Elmwood Park), 8-0.

Taylor Peterson (Garfield) Fall Skyla Ortiz (Ridgefield Park/Bogota), 1:26.

152

Kyla Norman (Kingsway) Dec Sophia Lombardo (High Point), 9-8.

Jenna Filieri (Lodi/IC) Fall MacKenzie Finn (Bayonne), 2:13.

165

Kierra Hubmaster (Kittatinny) Fall Macenzie Hunter (Pennsauken), 5:31.

Noelle Gaffney (High Point) Fall Kailin Lee (Newton), 0:23.

185

Amanda Pace (North Bergen) Fall Caitlin Hart (Vernon), 1:01.

Hannah Dahl (Pennsauken) Dec Shaelie Young (Gateway/Woodbury), 4-2.

235

Gianna Faura (Bloomfield) Fall Kennedee Aiken (Kingsway), 1:14.

Emie Santos (Bergenfield) Fall Brea Heil (Kingsway), 4:20.

Quarterfinals

100

Olivia Klein (Paramus) Fall Reeve Fatuova (Ramsey), 2:52.

Yasmine Yalowitz (Fort Lee) Maj-Dec Adrana Urbina (Pennsauken), 13-3.

Mariah Koster (Nutley) Fall Marlen Castillo (Lakewood), 1:25.

Aaliyah Payne-Parris (Newton) Fall McKenzie Markham (Kingsway), 0:27.

107

Theresa Zeppetelli (Ridgefield Park/Bogota) Fall Paige Kirk (Ramsey), 3:19.

Emme Hoarle (Somerville) Dec Joan Vince (Vernon), 2-0.

Gianna Simeone (Newton) Fall Ava Krzykalsky (Lyndhurst), 0:46.

Litzy Argueta (Lakewood) Inj Forf Ana Regalado (Lakeland), 0:39.

114

Riley Lerner (Cedar Creek) Fall Somaia Elokda (Bayonne), 5:51.

Valarie Maldonado (Somerville) Fall Kaylee Hughen (Boonton), 3:17.

Lennix Horsburgh (Bound Brook) Fall Ahlexa Montalvo (Bloomfield), 3:20.

Lilliana Zaku-Ramos (Kittatinny) Fall Kelsey Birchenough (High Point), 3:24.

120

Kira Pipkins (Bloomfield) Fall Ava Hosonits (Morris Hills), 1:05.

Isabella Valentino (Kingsway) Fall Carmela Velasco (Lodi/IC), 3:22.

Alexandria Graffius (Holy Spirit) Forf Emily Popek (Kittatinny).

Natalia Morales (Hackensack) Dec Soraya Safforld (Belleville), 8-3.

126

Dakota Dallison (Columbia) Fall Kylie Wright (Egg Harbor Township), 1:45.

Julia Fongaro (Boonton) Fall Macy Kennedy (Kingsway), 1:58.

Natalie Tucker (Vernon) Fall Ariana Benitez (Elmwood Park), 2:28.

Tatiana Walker (Pennsauken) Fall Isabella Bobadilla (Nutley), 2:33.

132

Angelina Leone (Egg Harbor Twp) Fall Nicolle Castro (Garfield), 1:09.

Emmalyne Dugan (Bayonne) Fall Angela Gjini (Ramsey), 3:38.

Kayla Franson (Paramus) Fall Charlotte Flatt (Vernon), 3:02.

Ayesha Payne-Parris (Newton) Fall Carolina Marquez (Lakewood), 3:48.

138

Amanda Connors (Northern Highlands) Fall Adrianna Goolsby (Vernon), 2:42.

Carney Wyble (High Point) Fall Gianna Puzynski (Bayonne), 3:14.

Samira Kupa (Boonton) Fall Isabella Martin (Ridgewood), 1:30.

Grace Kaczanowski (Bridgewater/Raritan) Fall Draydon Charman (Vernon), 3:47.

145

Alexa Firestone (Kingsway) Fall Kamila Castro (Ridgewood), 1:54.

Ve`Shae Polite (Elmwood Park) Fall Emma Mees (Paramus), 4:24.

Skyla Ortiz (Ridgefield Park/Bogota) Fall Sarah Spitzer (River Dell), 2:25.

Taylor Peterson (Garfield) Fall Janiesha Dureny (High Point), 1:25.

152

Sophia Lombardo (High Point) Fall Liz Garcia (Lakewood), 0:53.

Kyla Norman (Kingsway) Fall Amaya Hernandez (Central Regional), 4:25.

Jenna Filieri (Lodi/IC) Fall Sheridon Jones (Vernon), 1:41.

MacKenzie Finn (Bayonne) Fall Julie Estrada (Becton), 0:40.

165

Kierra Hubmaster (Kittatinny) Fall Madison MacPherson (Vernon), 1:36.

Macenzie Hunter (Pennsauken) Fall Brianna Felipe (Kingsway), 4:33.

Kailin Lee (Newton) Fall Marley Jackson (Lodi/IC), 1:58.

Noelle Gaffney (High Point) Fall Reno Prochillo (Bloomfield), 1:07.

185

Amanda Pace (North Bergen) Fall Evette Colon (Morris Hills), 0:54.

Caitlin Hart (Vernon) Fall Ava Filieri (Lodi/IC), 2:32.

Shaelie Young (Gateway/Woodbury) Fall Naomi Santillan (Lakewood), 1:08.

Hannah Dahl (Pennsauken) Fall Makayla Rodgers (Pennsauken), 3:22.

235

Gianna Faura (Bloomfield) Fall Talisha Lewis (Bayonne), 2:47.

Kennedee Aiken (Kingsway) Fall Isabella Kuzmich (Morris Hills), 0:24.

Brea Heil (Kingsway) Fall Caleigh Minnich (River Dell), 2:18.

Emie Santos (Bergenfield) Dec Caroline Biegel (Lakeland), 4-2.

Round of 16

100

Reeve Fatuova (Ramsey) Dec Gianna Hernandez (Lakeland), 5-0.

Yasmine Yalowitz (Fort Lee) Fall Madison Rider (Morris Hills), 0:57.

Adrana Urbina (Pennsauken) Fall Cindy Coyotl (Lakewood), 0:25.

Mariah Koster (Nutley) Fall Savannah Toulson (Kingsway), 2:21.

Marlen Castillo (Lakewood) Fall Ilana Williams (Belleville), 3:46.

McKenzie Markham (Kingsway) Fall Cloey Rome (High Point), 3:45.

107

Paige Kirk (Ramsey) Fall Andrea Valdetano (Lakewood), 5:10.

Joan Vince (Vernon) Fall Karen Arevalo (North Bergen), 2:22.

Emme Hoarle (Somerville) Fall Miso Brownbridge (High Point), 3:16.

Gianna Simeone (Newton) Fall Kaylee Little (High Point), 0:36.

Ava Krzykalsky (Lyndhurst) Fall Jesenia Camargo (Lakewood), 0:32.

Litzy Argueta (Lakewood) Fall Kate Zavuholnik (Kingsway), 4:52.

Ana Regalado (Lakeland) Fall Kaylee Holder (High Point), 3:00.

114

Riley Lerner (Cedar Creek) Fall Allytsandra Montalvo (Bloomfield), 1:26.

Somaia Elokda (Bayonne) Fall Jada Pichardo (Pennsauken), 5:04.

Kaylee Hughen (Boonton) Dec Sophia Hibbs (Kingsway), 9-5.

Valarie Maldonado (Somerville) Fall Drew Bonnet (Morris Hills), 0:41.

Lennix Horsburgh (Bound Brook) Fall Fiona Gougit (Wayne Valley), 1:36.

Ahlexa Montalvo (Bloomfield) Dec Dinayah Vazquez (Central Regional), 13-11 (SV).

Kelsey Birchenough (High Point) Fall Catherine Weigel (Rutherford), 2:35.

Lilliana Zaku-Ramos (Kittatinny) Fall Aida Carpintero (Lakewood), 0:36.

120

Kira Pipkins (Bloomfield) Fall Cristiana Davis (Bayonne), 0:17.

Ava Hosonits (Morris Hills) Fall Ariella Manzella (Kingsway), 0:43.

Carmela Velasco (Lodi/IC) Fall Sophia Garcia (Morris Hills), 1:14.

Isabella Valentino (Kingsway) Fall Miranda Peralta (River Dell), 4:24.

Emily Popek (Kittatinny) Fall Alyssa Veloce (Vernon), 3:16.

Alexandria Graffius (Holy Spirit) Fall Kyara Olivera (Morris Hills), 3:23.

Natalia Morales (Hackensack) Fall Olive Collins (Kingsway), 0:21.

Soraya Safforld (Belleville) Fall Alexandra Diaz (Lakewood), 0:59.

126

Dakota Dallison (Columbia) Fall Natali Perez (Morristown), 0:34.

Kylie Wright (Egg Harbor Township) Fall Leslie Cuate (Lakewood), 2:50.

Macy Kennedy (Kingsway) Fall Diondra Dawson (Bloomfield), 0:37.

Julia Fongaro (Boonton) Fall Sophia Counsellor (Kingsway), 1:01.

Natalie Tucker (Vernon) Fall Natalie Lurwick (Kingsway), 1:53.

Ariana Benitez (Elmwood Park) Fall Sydney Holder (High Point), 5:35.

Isabella Bobadilla (Nutley) Fall Jackie Heraclio (Lakewood), 5:15.

Tatiana Walker (Pennsauken) Fall Sofia Castano Largo (Morris Hills), 0:13.

132

Nicolle Castro (Garfield) Dec Silvia Gonzalez (North Bergen), 5-3.

Emmalyne Dugan (Bayonne) Fall Giuliana Stavola (Kingsway), 3:34.

Angela Gjini (Ramsey) Fall Riley Weeman (Lakewood), 1:41.

Kayla Franson (Paramus) Fall Alisson Huitzil (Bridewater/Raritan), 0:23.

Charlotte Flatt (Vernon) Fall Sanantha Goworek (Indian Hills), 3:26.

Carolina Marquez (Lakewood) Fall Leydi Leydi Maya (North Bergen), 1:52.

138

Amanda Connors (Northern Highlands) Fall Isabella Aponte (Lakewood), 0:43.

Adrianna Goolsby (Vernon) Fall Stephanie Walliser (River Dell), 3:00.

Gianna Puzynski (Bayonne) Fall Kasey Gelato (Kingsway), 0:41.

Carney Wyble (High Point) Fall Phoebe Abboud (Morris Hills), 1:26.

Isabella Martin (Ridgewood) Fall Shelly Silva (Elmwood Park), 0:29.

Samira Kupa (Boonton) Fall Madalyn Hart (Vernon), 0:19.

Draydon Charman (Vernon) Fall Athena Flemming (Bloomfield), 2:33.

Grace Kaczanowski (Bridgewater/Raritan) Fall Kianna Aleman (Lakewood), 1:13.

145

Kamila Castro (Ridgewood) Fall Faith Arroyo (Lyndhurst), 0:22.

Emma Mees (Paramus) Fall Janae Perez (Pennsauken), 4:23.

Ve`Shae Polite (Elmwood Park) Fall Melanie Meneses (Bergenfield), 1:01.

Sarah Spitzer (River Dell) Fall Amisadai Morales (Lakewood), 0:28.

Janiesha Dureny (High Point) Fall Elizabeth Ward (Kingsway), 1:07.

152

Liz Garcia (Lakewood) Fall Erinn Rebhun (River Dell), 2:18.

165

Kierra Hubmaster (Kittatinny) Fall Maria Torres (Lakewood), 0:24.

Madison MacPherson (Vernon) Fall Brianna Nguyen (Pennsauken), 3:22.

Macenzie Hunter (Pennsauken) Fall Daniela Palacios (Lakewood), 1:32.

Brianna Felipe (Kingsway) Fall Dianaliz Vargas (Bloomfield), 1:27.

Kailin Lee (Newton) Fall Rebecca Dryden (Kingsway), 4:52.

Marley Jackson (Lodi/IC) Fall Jiya Sheth (River Dell), 4:59.

Reno Prochillo (Bloomfield) Dec Casey-Lynn Siller (Central Regional), 4-3.

Noelle Gaffney (High Point) Fall Yasmin Xahuentitla (Lakewood), 2:43.

185

Evette Colon (Morris Hills) Forfeit Lily Nelson (Central Regional).

Makayla Rodgers (Pennsauken) Dec Kevonnah Perkins (Kingsway), 7-2 (OT).

235

Talisha Lewis (Bayonne) Fall Gabby Klass (High Point), 1:06.

Kennedee Aiken (Kingsway) Fall Brandon Quintanar (Boonton), 1:36.

Caroline Biegel (Lakeland) Fall Jasmine Tenezaca (Hackensack), 0:21.

Caleigh Minnich (River Dell) Fall Robyn Mitchell (Lakewood), 2:34.

Round of 32

114

Allytsandra Montalvo (Bloomfield) Fall Giselle Mendoza (Lakewood).

Kaylee Hughen (Boonton) Fall Isabella Loszynski (Bergenfield), 3:08.

Drew Bonnet (Morris Hills) Fall Angelina Velastegui (Lyndhurst), 2:43.

Fiona Gougit (Wayne Valley) Fall Allie Benitez (Lodi/IC), 1:16.

Dinayah Vazquez (Central Regional) Fall Macie Ferla (Kingsway), 0:12.

Aida Carpintero (Lakewood) Fall Grace Riley (Becton), 5:23.

120

Cristiana Davis (Bayonne) Fall Ava Patel (Kingsway), 0:58.

126

Natali Perez (Morristown) Dec Lizbeth Azcona (Pennsauken), 6-5.

165

Maria Torres (Lakewood) Fall Alexia Fontanez (Kingsway), 5:23.

Rebecca Dryden (Kingsway) Fall Gizelle Camargo (Lakewood), 0:32.

Yasmin Xahuentitla (Lakewood) Fall Vanessa Cuate (Lakewood), 4:39.

Sean Farrell is a high school sports reporter for NorthJersey.com. For full access to live scores, breaking news and analysis from our Varsity Aces team, subscribe today. To get breaking news directly to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter and download our app.

Email: farrells@northjersey.com

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This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ girls wrestling: Results from the Bergen County tournament