he 2022 SAS girls’ varsity wrestling team finished third in the state with two state champions. They are pictured here with varsity teammates from the boys’ squad. Left to right: Dimitri Sherrill, Melanie Val, Riley Burnette, Iliana Pate, Charlie Barron, Verena Pate, Stella Wilson, Hadley Hale, and Tom Karanja. (Not pictured: Eighth grade teammates Eli Mclean and Sophie “Axl” May)
The St. Andrew’s Sewanee girls wrestling team took third out of 69 teams at the TSSAA state wrestling tournament held at the Williamson County Ag. Expo Center Feb. 24-26.
Six of the team’s eight wrestlers made it to the state competition with four reaching the podium, including two state championship finishes. Junior Verena Pate (Sewanee) and sophomore Melanie Val (Tracy City) finished first in their respective weight classes to be named Tennessee State Champions.
Senior Riley Burnette (Monteagle) placed third and senior Charlie Barron (Chattanooga) took sixth. Senior Iliana Pate (Sewanee) just missed out on the medal rounds but her two wins were a major contribution to the team’s success.
“The girls fought with heart and determination against much larger schools,” said coach Matt Sparacio. “To be able to place third even without all of the weight classes filled this season is phenomenal. These girls and their teammates and practice partners worked incredibly hard for this win. Their dedication to the sport and to one another was an inspiration to me and fellow coaches Haley Chelsvig and Michael Schaerer.”