In her first year of varsity wrestling last winter, Caroline Hattala experienced all the highs and lows of the sport.
However, Hattala will always remember how her season ended in July. Yes, July.
Hattala was one of six Quakertown wrestlers who recently ventured to the 2023 US Marine Corps (USMC) Junior and 16U Nationals in the Fargodome on the campus of North Dakota State University.
The rising sophomore finished sixth overall in her 200-pound weight class, and she achieved All-America status along with rising junior Collin Gaj, who was sixth at 152, and rising senior Calvin Lachman, who was eighth at 220.
Gaj, who was 49-0 and a state champion this past season, won his first three matches before he lost the first of two to end his long streak. According to head coach Kurt Handel, Gaj has been contacted by more than 40 schools to continue his career at the collegiate level.
Along with the trio, rising senior Mason Ziegler, who wrestled at 126, didn’t place as well as rising junior Gavin Carroll, who wrestled at 145. Rising sophomore Ashley Stank wrestled at 100 and didn’t place.
It marked the first time in Quakertown wrestling history that four boys qualified for the tournament. Hattala and Stank were key performers in helping Pennsylvania capture the USMC 16U Women’s Nationals.
Hattala made the switch from swimming to wrestling in eighth grade. She pinned four opponents in the state girls tournament to win the unsanctioned title.She realized there is still plenty left on the board.
“This was my first year wrestling, and I have been wrestling for over a year-and-a half,” said Hattala. “It was a fun time competing at a place like Fargo. I did well, but I came away knowing I could have done better. I’m just trying to learn as much as I can, so I can go into these bigger tournaments.
“I’m just glad to see the sport for girls growing.Wrestling means a lot to me, and seeing girls wrestling being added to more and more schools is something that I’m really excited to see.”
Lachman, who went 41-7 last season and finished second at regionals, cherished the extension of his season.
“Fargo was a great experience,” said Lachman. “It felt like a perfect way to keep on the mat in the summer as well as getting the opportunity to wrestle some talented individuals.
“Coming out on the podium was certainly cool. I felt as though I left something on the table. I think I might make a Fargo appearance next year with hopes of being on top. I’m not sure about that, but it’s a thought.”
Handel views the girls as pioneers for the burgeoning sport.
“I’m really proud of them,” he beamed. “They were both upset when they lost, but they performed well. Caroline reaching All-America status was outstanding.”
Handel watched from the stands and was able to appreciate and evaluate the experience from a different perspective.
“Freestyle is different, and the referees have more leeway,” he said. “There were some head-scratching calls, and I wished I could have been on the sidelines for those.
“But in my 29 years of coaching, this was really cool to see so many elite wrestlers. The Fargodome was really cool. This is a special tournament. To get here, you have to earn it.”
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