Norwin girls wrestlers shine at 1st WPIAL championship meet

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Saturday, February 24, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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In a year of firsts, Norwin doubled up.

Two Norwin girls claimed individual championships at the inaugural WPIAL girls wrestling championships held Feb. 17 at North Allegheny, taking their place in program and Westmoreland County history.

Sophomore Josephine Dollman and freshman Octavia Walker won championships in their first attempt.

Dollman became the school’s first WPIAL champion when she pinned Peters Township senior Grace O’Korn in the first period.

Dollman showed emotion when her father, Mike, placed the first-place medal around her neck.

“This is so exciting,” Dollman said. “It’s great to be the first champion and even better for the program. I’m looking forward to West Regional and states.”

Walker caught the crowd’s attention and caused a stir when she rallied from a 5-0 deficit to pin Canon-McMillan sophomore Audrey Calgaro to win the 170-pound title.

Calgaro was ranked No. 1 in the weight class.

“I didn’t look good early, but I kept battling and I never gave up,” Walker said after the thrilling win. “I watched her in her earlier matches and studied what she liked to do. When she tried to cradle me I was prepared and I caught her and put her on her back.

“I really don’t know what I did to pin her. She turned and I got her head. I had her tight.”

Norwin coach Kyle Martin said the victories and success at the district tournament is like free advertising for the program.

“Having two champs is great,” he said. “It will be an excellent promotion to other girls in Norwin to hopefully give wrestling a try. Most importantly, every single girl on our roster is an underclassman.”

Martin said Dollman could be a factor in the next rounds.

“Jo just did Jo things,” he said. “She is dangerous in every position and, as long as she wrestles to our system, she will continue to be dangerous throughout the state tournament series.”

Walker, Martin acknowledged, brings high energy to the mat.

“Tav is amazing, such a hard worker and always has a smile on her face,” Martin said. “Only being a freshmen, she has such a bright future ahead of her. We’re really excited to see her development.”

Overall, the Knights had five girls advance to the PIAA West Regional on March 2 at Canon-McMillan.

The others were 190-pounder Abigail Hewitt, who took third place; Karsyn Champion, who was fourth at 148; and and Addison Elyes, who was fifth at 112.

Martin also had high hopes for Avalin Barry, but she injured her ankle the week before the WPIAL tournament and will need surgery.

“She had a great first-year season and definitely could have been another qualifier to the regional,” Martin said.

Staff writer Paul Schofield contributed.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Norwin