SUGAR VALLEY RURAL CHARTER SCHOOL NEWS 570-725-7822 • www . svrcs . org
Lady Phoenix Hit The Mats
Sugar Valley is well known for their wrestling program . From the days of Sugar Valley High School to SVRCS , the program has always been very strong and well supported within the community . The Sugar Valley boys have definitely made a great name for themselves . Now it ’ s the girls turn to step onto the mats .
In May of 2023 , the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association , PIAA , sanctioned girls wrestling as an official sport , as 100 schools officially sponsored a team . This sanction makes Pennsylvania the 38th state in the country to recognize girls wrestling as a sport . Now we can all expect to see girls joining the boys at the Giant Center in March for postseason Wrestling Championships . With any luck , SVRCS will be getting in on that post-season action with their new girls ' wrestling team !
The SVRCS Girls Wrestling team is coached by Jason Bilbay , who is also head coach for the boys ' team , and assisted by Tanya Miller-Mitchell . Coach Bilbay has been coaching SVRCS wrestling since the 2020 season and has been anxious to get a girls ’ team going .
Leading the girls ' team is senior Emma Downing , who began wrestling last year , before the sanctions took place . Emma worked with the boys ' team and Coach Bilbay through the 2023 season , then entered the MyHouse Girls Regional Wrestling tournament . She qualified for the MyHouse State Championship where her performance fell short , but the experience sealed the deal for her to help SVRCS move forward and recruit for this year ' s team .
Along with Downing , the girls ’ varsity team introduces juniors Olivia Clester and Olivia Johnson , sophomore Cheyenne Weaver and freshmen Marrin Clester and Kayleigh Showers . Aaliyah Hopkins rally ’ s the junior high team , as SVRCS builds the programs for the younger wrestlers coming up from elementary wrestling .
Why would girls want to wrestle ? Wrestling is one of the most unique sports on the planet . Though it ’ s not popular , training has incredible benefits that a career in wrestling can provide . Wrestling develops athleticism and promotes responsibility . It helps with mental and emotional resilience while teaching discipline and accountability , all while giving some basic self-defense moves . Participating in this winter sport will help prepare the ladies for any spring sports that they plan to participate in as well . Wrestling can also provide opportunities to travel and further their education as colleges are looking to expand their wrestling programs with women as well .
Good luck to the Lady Phoenix as they begin their journey .
In the picture - Front row , left to right : Olivia Johnson , Olivia Clester , Emma Downing Back row : Kayleigh Showers , Cheyenne Weaver , Marrin Clester .
8 “ Good News ” -- January -- www . bearcountrygoodnews . com