Philomath seventh grader Olivia Hernandez added another impressive wrestling feat to her list of accomplishments last weekend by winning the Under 15 division at the U.S. Marine Corps Women’s Nationals in Spokane, Washington.
Competing at 42 kilograms, which is about 92 pounds, Hernandez defeated Abigail Peterson, of Denver, Iowa, on a 7-2 decision. Hernandez was the lone repeat champion among those competing in this year’s U15 division. She will accompany Team USA this summer to the Pan-American Championships in Guatemala City, Guatemala.
In an interview with USA Wrestling following the victory, Hernandez expressed excitement for the win. Asked about technique, Hernandez talked about “controlling the wrist so they couldn’t really attack on me and trying to slow them down so I can get into some of my attacks.”
Hernandez, who won the 14 and under division at last year’s national championships in Spokane, credited the team in her corner, which included coaches, teammates and family.
“My mom and my dad are always believing in me and saying ‘just go out there and have fun and do your very best and never give up,’” Hernandez said.
Hernandez earned the tournament’s Most Outstanding Wrestler award.
The road to the top of the podium was not easy with Hernandez working through a 24-wrestler bracket that included three former national champions and two former Pan Am champions. Hernandez entered the tournament as a No. 4 seed at 42 kg.
After receiving a bye into the second round, Hernandez defeated Kaliya Klise, of Las Vegas, Nevada, with a pin in 19 seconds. In the quarterfinals, she beat fifth-seeded Kylee Ooton, of Tuttle, Oklahoma, with a pin in 41 seconds.
Hernandez advanced to the semifinals for an anticipated matchup against the No. 1 seed — Maisie Elliott, of Puyallup, Washington. Elliott got out to an early 4-0 lead before Hernandez countered with eight points over the final 49 seconds of the first period. Hernandez ended up with a pin in 3:31.
Then came the championship match with Hernandez beating the second-seeded Peterson by five points. Hernandez trailed 2-0 through the first minute of the opening period but held a 4-2 advantage heading into the second and led the rest of the way to clinch the win.
The Pan-American Championships are scheduled to run May 22-25. Last year, Hernandez dominated as last year’s Pan-Am tournament in El Salvador, Hernandez won the U15 division with four wins while outscoring her opponents by a combined 34-0.
Neeland earns another honor
Allison Neelands, who graduated with Philomath High’s Class of 2023, was one of three Hartwick College women swimmers to be included on the Academic All-District Team by the College Sports Communicators for their athletic and academic achievements.
Neelands, a sophomore, earned the honor for the first time. She specialized this season in freestyle events but also participated on several relays for the Hawks. A top performance came in the team’s victory over State University of New York at Delhi where she placed first in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 28.80 seconds.
To qualify for all-district consideration, student-athletes must be at least a sophomore academically, hold at least a 3.5 cumulative grade point average and participate in at least five meets or rank in the top eight in championships.
Also earning the all-district honor were teammates Courtney Pierce of Fulton, New York, and Anna Bischoff of Oneonta, New York.
Just a few weeks ago, Neelands was named to the Empire 8 President’s List for this past fall.
Neelands is pursuing a major in political science with a minor in legal studies at the school, which is located in Oneonta, New York.
(Brad Fuqua is publisher/editor of the Philomath News. He can be reached at News@PhilomathNews.com).