OPPOSITE PAGE : DANIELLE PARHIZKARAN ; THIS PAGE : WRESTLING : MITSU YASUKAWA ; STANDING : CHRIS LACHALL |
Kayla Vazquez is in a league of her own . The Kinnelon junior joined elite company March 4when she became just the second Morris County girl to capture astate wrestling title . Vazquez , athree-time state medalist , defeated Maya Hemo of Cherry Hill East 5-0 in the 132-pound championship match at Boardwalk Hall . “ This is unreal . I ’ ve dreamt about this since Iwas in fourth grade . The fact that I ’ m finally here doing it , especially in Atlantic City , isamazing ,” Vazquez said at the time .“ This moves my momentum forward . I ’ m already looking forward to next year , and defending my title .”
Vazquez ( 18-0 ) joins Morris County pioneer Sydney Petzinger , who won Back-to-back state titles in2019-20 , as the only girls in county history to accomplish the feat . She is the second Kinnelon wrestler to capture aNJSIAA
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crown , joining two-time champion Evan Mougalian , who won in 2020 and 2022 .
Vazquez placed third inthe state in 2021 at 120 pounds , and was third again in 2022 at 126 pounds . “ There ’ swrestling in Kinnelon . That ’ swhat Iwould say ,” Kinnelon coach Eric DiColo says . “ I don ’ t care what size school you are , if you have asolid recreation program , kids that commit at ayoung age , and compete in your high school and club , this is what you get . Kayla has been active since she was young , similar to Evan ( Mougalian ). It just goes to show you if you ’ re dedicated , this is the result , and you can do it anywhere .”
Vazquez jumped out to a2-0 lead midway through the first period on a takedown , and stretched the lead to 4-0 with another takedown with 34 seconds left in the second . She sealed it with an escape aminute from the end of the third .
Vazquez ’ swrestling path started
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when she was 3years old and involved in Judo . After moving to Kinnelon in fourth grade , afamily friend invited her to awrestling workout . The rest is history .“ The next thing Iknew , Iwas on awrestling mat . Ifell in love with it ,” she says .“ Iwork out almost every day . But when Ineed abreak , Itake aday or two . Ilove the sport , but Idon ’ t want to treat it like ajob . Imake itfun and change it up alittle .”
DiColo says Vazquez has been an inspiration tothe younger girls in the Kinnelon feeder program . “ We ’ ve had about 10 to 12 girls join our rec program in the last two years . It ’ sstarting to happen , and the future is bright because of Kayla ,” DiColo says .“ You have these little girls running around , and they want tobejust like her . It ’ s awesome . I ’ d like tosee Kayla repeat next year . Ithink she ’ s now the top pound-for-pound girl wrestler in the state with ( Kira ) Pipkins moving on .” ■
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