New Philadelphia girls wrestling program continues rapid growth

Four years ago, New Philadelphia’s girls wrestling program consisted of one high school wrestler and three middle school athletes. Now entering its fourth season, the Quakers have grown to 19 participants, including 14 on the high school roster.

“I could not be more happy with how all of our girls support our program and push to get more and more girls in the room,” first-year head coach Adam Widder said.

Last year New Philadelphia made some noise in the postseason, qualifying five girls to districts and one to state. All are back this year and only one is a senior.

Isabella Ramirez entered this season with major hopes after a strong tournament run in 2025. Ramirez qualified for the state tournament at 190 pounds, one of just three sophomores to reach the state tourney in her weight class. 

She was a sectional runner-up before placing fourth at the Mentor District. Ramirez won a pair of consolation matches at state to reach the podium and earn All-Ohio honors. She is back for her junior year in the same class. 

Easton Miller was a district placer and state alternate at 115. She was runner-up at the Claymont Sectional. She will be at either 110 or 115 this year as a junior.

Riley Jones was a district qualifier at 100 and returns at that weight for her junior season. Kaydence Sansom qualified for districts at 120 and could be anywhere from 110 to 120 this year as a junior.

Devlin Harrington was a sectional placer at 125 a year ago. Now a junior, she could slot in at 120, with 125 still a possibility. That spot, though, could go to the old lady on the team, as senior Annabel Rummell, a district qualifier last year at 135, could be as low as 125 this year.

Rummel is the original Quaker wrestler. Miller and Ramirez were among the three middle-school girls wrestling in the first year.

The other Quaker returning from a year ago is sophomore Arazelia Ajanel, who slots at 130. That’s the same class Ajanel competed in last year. She was one of just two ninth graders in the Claymont Sectional at 130 last year. Neither won a match against the more experienced competition.

New to the squad this year juniors Annabella Septer (100) and Kylie Kirby (145), sophomores Josalin Hunter (105) and Zoey Eversole (235), and freshmen Kelly Sica Calel (100), Adriana Rennicker (155) and Na’Kylee Jett (170).

“As a staff we are super excited for this year,” Widder said. “We have a great mix of experience and youth to make for a very competitive team this season.”

The Quakers showed early they could be a force to be reckoned with. In their first tournament of the year they placed sixth among 44 teams with six of their 12 entered wrestlers placing.

“We have a very good group of experienced girls that have done a fantastic job mentoring and teaching our inexperienced girls,” Widder said. “For the wrestling side we have some pretty high expectations for this season. Our goal is to send four girls to the state tournament and have two placers.”