Blue Devils Capture Medals at Girls’ Mat Tournament
December 20, 2023
Shannon Koepele won first place honors to lead 10 Huntington High School girls to a strong showing in the first ever girls’ wrestling tournament last Sunday at the Blue Devils’ Louis D. Giani Gymnasium.
Koepele was once again magnificent at 138 lbs. She was smooth and powerful in executing her moves, much to the delight of Huntington head coach Maria Canino. The teenager has rapidly advanced in her technique and strategy and is one of Suffolk’s best at her weight.
The Blue Devils wrestled under the banner of the Town of Huntington team. It’s a collaborative effort that includes girls from Huntington, Harborfields, Walt Whitman and John H. Glenn. Joint practices are held at John H. Glenn with the four teams training at the own schools on other days.
Last Sunday’s tournament also attracted competitors from Brentwood, Rocky Point, Comsewogue, Commack ,Copiague, Longwood, Ward Melville, Jericho, Newfield, Edgemont, Westhampton Beach, Miller Place, East Islip, St. Anthony’s, Bellport, Mepham, Valley Stream Central, Seaford, Northport and Levittown-MacArthur.
Kopele was joined as a medalist by nine other Huntington teammates, including second place finishers Brittany Lopez Berrios, Maricielo Ramos Tunque, Avery Joynt and Aylana Powell; third place wrestlers Ashley Palma, Emily Redondo and Arly Moriera and four place finishers Yuliana Hernandez Perla and Yanelin Gomez Martin.
Huntington Principal Brenden Cusack and members of his family attended a portion of the tournament along with several hundred fans.
“Being able to hold the first ever girls wrestling tournament here in the Huntington gym was huge,” Canino said. “It was important for our girls to feel like they have a place here and it was important to show the Huntington community how tough these girls are and that they have what it takes to make things happen.”
