Northwest earns UIL 5A Girls Wrestling State Championship

The Northwest Texans have earned the UIL 5A Girls Wrestling State Championship, making history with the first team wrestling title in both school and district history. Notably, their victory also marks the first team UIL state championship of any kind in school history.

Competing at the Berry Center in Cypress, the girls team won the state title with four of its six wrestlers earning podium finishes for 71 total points. In addition to the team finish, Northwest High School was represented by an individual state championship, as Chuck Reitz won the 5A boys 215-pound weight class.

While wrestling programs across Northwest ISD have earned numerous accolades at the state meet over the years including several individual championships, no district team had earned the top honor until the Texans’ team win. Coach Jessica Fresh, leader of the Texan wrestling program, said the accomplishment serves as the culmination of years of hard work.

“This is the best finish for both the boys and girls programs, and I’m so proud of them,” Coach Fresh said, noting that the girls team had an advantage of sending six wrestlers to state, the most of any 5A girls team. “Not only did we have strength in numbers, but two made it to the finals. This is a special group of student-athletes, and it was awesome to see them reap the benefits of the time and effort they’ve put in the past few years. Chuck Reitz went into the tournament ranked 12^th and came out on top of the podium. He was only a state alternate last year, and it lit a fire in him – he worked extremely hard all summer and all season long, both in the weight room and on the mat. He earned it.”

Students representing the Northwest girls team at state include Heidi Caprio (100-pound weight class), Emma Graves (107-pound weight class), Meadow Gandy (114-pound weight class), Mackenzie Blue (132-pound weight class), Sierra Simmons (145-pound weight class) and Trinity Washko (185-pound weight class). Both Trinity and Mackenzie finished with silver medals, earning runner-up honors in their weight class.

In addition to Chuck Reitz, students representing the Northwest boys team included Toby Ford (132-pound weight class), David Adams (150-pound weight class), Nate Jean (165-pound weight class), Ethan Jean (175-pound weight class) and Curtis Charles (190-pound weight class).

At the 6A level, the Byron Nelson Bobcats earned a silver medal by wrestler Alyssa Ruiz, who earned the runner-up finish in the girls 120-pound weight class. Hunter Stenger also represented the Bobcats at the state meeting, qualifying in the boys 6A 190-pound weight class.

“I’m so proud of Alyssa and the way she battled to the very end,” said Carlos Ornelas, head coach of the Byron Nelson wrestling program. “It’s been a tremendous journey watching her improve every year, and we know she has a bright future ahead of her.”

Representing Eaton High School, Emilee Zeringue competed in the 6A girls 132-pound weight class.

A total of 15 student-athletes represented Northwest ISD at the UIL Wrestling State Tournament, continuing a tradition of excellence across the district. All three of the district’s comprehensive high schools – Byron Nelson, Eaton and Northwest – sent at least one wrestler to the state meet. This marked the second consecutive year each program sent at least one wrestler to the state meet.

To view full results from the 2023 UIL Wrestling State Championships, visit the official website.