Capital Gazette 2023-24 girls wrestling All-County: Spalding’s Taina Fernandez, a National Preps champ, named Girls Wrestler of the Year

Taina Fernandez is laser focused on becoming a gold medalist at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Anyone familiar with Fernandez’s accomplishments during her freshman campaign with the Archbishop Spalding wrestling program would say she is well on the way to reaching that goal.

Fernandez compiled an impressive 34-1 record with 18 pins and 11 technical falls this season while competing coed for Spalding and wrestling against girls in various tournaments. The 14-year-old is ranked No. 1 nationally at 130 pounds among girls by USA Wrestling.

“I wasn’t sure what to expect going into my first high school season, but my accomplishments certainly surpassed anything I could have foreseen,” said Fernandez, who headlines the Capital Gazette girls wrestling All-County team. “It was nice to see all the hard work I’ve put in produce results.”

Fernandez made a strong statement from the outset by placing third at the Ray Oliver Tournament held at McDonogh. She went 5-1 with two pins and a major decision while competing at 126 pounds. That tournament is where Fernandez suffered her lone loss, dropping a 7-5 decision to Spalding teammate Sean Garretson.

“I was shocked when Taina almost beat Sean,” Spalding coach Mike Laidley said. “It came down to a scramble situation that could have gone either way. That match showed that Taina could compete at a high level against anyone.”

Fernandez wrestled back and wound up beating Drew Roggie from St. Christopher’s in Virginia, 5-3 in the third place match.

In a dual meet against Old Mill, Fernandez pinned Omar Khan after building a commanding 11-2 lead. Khan placed sixth at the Anne Arundel County Championships. Another notable win against boys came when Fernandez scored a 13-1 major decision against Loyola’s Tyler Truitt, who finished sixth at the MIAA Championships.

Remarkably, Fernandez was not in the Spalding starting lineup most of the season because Garretson and Vincent Paolucci (53-4, MIAA champion) held down the 126- and 132-pound slots.

Fernandez claimed the 130-pound championship in convincing fashion at the second Beast of the East Tournament. She was simply dominant in recording three first-period pins and a 14-1 major decision in four matches.

The Bowie resident was just as overpowering against collegiate competition, securing the championship of the Ken Kraft Midlands Women’s Tournament, winning four matches by a combined score of 42-1. She scored a 10-0 technical fall against Nichole Moore of McKendree University in the quarterfinals and a 12-1 technical fall versus top-seeded Lexi Janiak of Aurora University in the semis.

Fernandez capped the season by becoming just the second Maryland girl to capture a National Prep Tournament championship. She pinned all four opponents on the way to winning the 126-pound class and joined Julianne Moccia of John Carroll in an exclusive category.

“Taina is a very complete wrestler. She is very disciplined and never gets caught out of position,” Laidley said. “She’s a very good defensive wrestler who capitalizes on opponent’s mistakes. She scores a lot of points on counters, is tough on top when riding and gets off the bottom very easily.”

Fernandez discovered wrestling by spotting a poster for a Bowie Boys and Girls Club wrestling practice. She was the only girl that showed up at a “hot, sweaty and humid” gymnasium, but took to the grueling sport almost immediately.

“I just really liked wrestling and walked out of that first practice wanting to get better and better,” said Fernandez, who later switched to the Southern Maryland Wrestling Club under the tutelage of veteran coach Jason Gabrielson.

Earlier this month, Fernandez traveled to Spokane, Washington, to compete in the Under-17 and Under-15 World Team Trials. She notched consecutive technical falls and will represent the United States at the U17 World Championships in Amman, Jordan, in late August. She will also compete for Team USA in both the U17 and U15 Pan American Games, being held in the Dominican Republic and El Salvador.

“I’d like to make as many world teams as I can and continue to evolve as a wrestler,” Fernandez said. “My main goal is to be an Olympic champion in 2028. The main thing that motivates me is my passion for wrestling. That passion drives my work ethic, my mental toughness and my desire to win.”

Maryland has produced two of the most accomplished female wrestlers in U.S. history in Helen Maroulis and Nicole Woody.

“Those two women are true trailblazers and they inspire me to create my own path,” Fernandez. “Women’s wrestling is still growing as a sport and there are so many more opportunities out there. I’m excited to see what I can accomplish against international competition.”

Laidley expects Fernandez to be in the Spalding starting lineup at 126 pounds next season and firmly believes she is capable of capturing MIAA and MIS championships against coed competition.

“Taina is a very serious, very driven young lady who is totally legit as a wrestler,” said Laidley, who just completed his 22nd season as head coach. “She’s working toward some very lofty goals and I would never bet against her achieving whatever she sets her mind to.”

All-County First Team

Grace Ackerman, Crofton, Junior

Ackerman was the Anne Arundel County and Class 4A/3A East Region champ while wrestling girls competition. She finished sixth in the state at 115 pounds. “Grace was a very methodical counter wrestler with great defense and short offense,” coach Jason West said. “She had a way of grinding out tough matches and finding points to open up leads.”

Katrina Adhikari, Old Mill, Junior

Adhikari was the state runner-up at 235 pounds, losing by fall to Emily Boling of Northern-Calvert. She captured the girls county championship and placed second at the Class 4A/3A East Region behind Boling. “Katrina worked extremely hard and went on a nice run at the state tournament, dominating three opponents. She really peaked at the right time,” coach Jim Grim said.

Jada Chaves, Arundel, Senior

Chaves captured the girls state championship at 105 pounds, beating Aubrey Ohler by technical fall, 15-0. She compiled a 32-6 record and also claimed the Class 4A/3A East Region crown and placed third while wrestling co-ed at the Anne Arundel County Championships. “Jada is a two-time captain and a real leader in the practice room,” coach Rob Connolly said.

Isabelle Coe, Crofton, Sophomore

Coe compiled a 15-6 record against girls competition and captured the Anne Arundel County and Class 4A/3A East Region championships at 130 pounds. She finished fifth at the state tournament by pinning Renee Kim of Poolesville. “Isabella’s success this season was a testament to hard work. After going 0-2 in last year’s state tournament, she put in the work to improve. Isabella used solid positioning to capitalize on opponent’s mistakes and create opportunities to score,” coach Jason West said.

Domenica Gladwell, Southern, Junior

Gladwell captured her second straight state championship at 115 pounds by scoring an 8-1 decision against Rileigh Romberger of Smithsburg. She also became a three-time Class 2A/1A West Region champ. Gladwell competed co-ed throughout the regular season and recorded a 22-5 record with all the losses against boys.  “Domenica is as tough as they come both mentally and physically. We never for a second doubted she could win another state title even with the injury,” coach Jeff Schrumm said. “

Sophia Hodges, Northeast, Sophomore

Hodges was Anne Arundel County champion at 120 pounds and posted a 19-8 record. She placed third at the state meet for the second straight season by scoring a 3-2 decision over Kent Island’s Lilliana Messenger. “Sophia is a formidable competitor with a knack for winning tight matches. She brings a relentless fighting spirit and positive mindset to every bout,” coach Chris Dyke said.

Lexy Pabon, Crofton, Junior

Pabon repeated as state champion at 125 pounds, pinning Frederick’s Annika Emshoff in the final. Compiled a 14-2 record, including 11-0 against girls. She was the Anne Arundel County and Class 4A/3A East Region champ. “Lexy’s relentless attacking style smothers opponents as she looks to break them early,” coach Jason West said.

Second Team

Reese Butler, North County, Sophomore

Keshae Cribbs, Old Mill, Junior

Gigi Orellana-Henriquez, Arundel, Junior

Breyon Thompson, Crofton, Sophomore

Erin Wright, Arundel, Junior