Wrestling has become a popular sport for girls in Virginia and Botetourt County has some strong competitors. On December 28, four Botetourt County female wrestlers were among 94 participants who competed in the 32nd Annual Godwin Holiday Classic Wrestling Tournament in Richmond. Both Serenity Shearer and Jasmin Andrade of Lord Botetourt brought home medals after a hard day on the mats.
Serenity, at 145 pounds, finished second to Nijah Mclean of Potomac Falls after advancing to the final with a pin. Andrade was fourth among eight competitors at 152.
Serenity and Jasmin both finished second at the Lady Cat Tournament in Radford on December 21.
“We have six girls this season,” said LB coach Paul Craft. “Serenity and Jasmin are both leaders on our girls’ team. We have a sophomore and three freshmen that didn’t travel. However, the younger girls are showing real potential. We expect the girls’ program to continue to grow.”
Georgia Miller of James River won the 126-pound class at Radford, defeating Hayden Fertal of Currituck County by a 5-1 decision in the championship match.
“This has to be the best match I’ve seen in her,” said coach Warren Carswell of James River, who is also her step-dad. “I’m super proud of her. She wrestled smart and controlled the match, giving up only one point. That was the only point she gave up all day, pinning her first two opponents in the first period. She’s seeing the results of off-season camps and work”
Photos courtesy of Botetourt Co. wrestling
This was Georgia’s second tournament win this season. She won the crown at Queen of the Ring in Fairfax County on December 7. She is a third year wrestler under coach Bobby Stewart.
James River’s Janiya Falls also competed in the tournament at 185 pounds. Janiya is a freshman and first year wrestler.
Carswell is usually the one in the corner for the girls because there’s not a coach available to take girls to all girl tournaments. Girls’ wrestling is not yet sanctioned in Virginia.
“The coaches have full schedules with the boys’ tournaments,” he said. “I asked if I could come on as a parent, volunteer coach so I could take her to more girl tournaments. I am very thankful for Coach Stewart and the James River administration allowing me to come on board.”
Recently, Warren attended the Botetourt School Board meeting advocating combining LB and JR girls wrestling into an “all girls” composite team.
“If we can have a combined LB-JR boys’ lacrosse team, why not a girls’ wrestling team?” he said.
Michelle Austin, Serenity’s step-mom and former Botetourt School Board member, said, “Our Botetourt County girls’ performance at this tournament is evidence that our female wrestlers can compete on a larger stage against Richmond area and NOVA schools with larger girls’ programs. Girls’ high school wrestling is the fastest growing sport in the country.”
