ORLANDO, Fla. — The Freedom girls wrestling program is one of the best in the state, winning its second state championship this year.
Paola Ramirez led the way for Freedom, finishing in second place in the 130-pound division earlier this month. That was the best finish for a Patriots girls wrestler.
What You Need To Know
The Freedom girls wrestling program won its second state title since the Florida High School Athletics Association authorized the sport in 2022
Senior Paola Ramirez finished in second place in the 130-pound division, the highest finish among her teammates
In college, she will wrestle at West Liberty in West Virginia next year
“It’s great. We’ve got great coaches in place, great kids on the team,” Freedom High School girls wrestling coach David Bush said. “It’s always fun when you have a great staff and great kids and everybody puts in work.”
Ramirez pinned her way through regionals on her way to state.
“This season has been very special. It’s very emotional. I feel very free, so there’s no pressure whatsoever,” Ramirez said.
“The most rewarding thing is just going and hugging Coach Mike right after. That’s just a feeling that I can’t explain.”
She transferred to Freedom for her senior year and was a leader on this year’s team, saying she fit in from the day she became a Patriot.
“These girls are my sisters through and through. It was just something special, and with them, all the love and support, I was able to just fit right in,” Ramirez said.
Her leadership on and off the mat was a factor, Bush said.
“The girls enjoy being around her. So, her ability to come in and be part of the culture and help create a culture has been awesome,” Bush said.
Now that Ramirez’s senior season is wrapped up at Freedom, she can look ahead to wrestling in college. She will head to West Liberty in West Virginia next year.