WPIAL girls wrestling preview: 5 2-time champs back for more

By: Paul Schofield
Tuesday, November 25, 2025 | 6:01 AM

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Previous Next

When the WPIAL held its second girls wrestling championship in February, five girls defended their titles and three did not.

Repeat champs were Moon sophomore Haley Smarsh (130 pounds), Kiski Area junior Ava Golding (136), Norwin junior Josephine Dollman (148), Norwin sophomore Octivia Walker (155) and Plum junior Alaina Claassen (190).

Smarsh defeated Plum junior Sophia Davis, a returning champion.

Also winning titles were Montour junior Kristen Walzer (100), Fort Cherry junior Ella Trahan (106), Canon-McMillan sophomore Marlee Solomon (112), Knoch junior Braylee Ireland (118), South Park sophomore Anna Duncan (124), Avella sophomore Abigail Dolanch (14), Norwin sophomore Karsyn Champion (155) and Southmoreland junior Zoey Murphy (235).

At the state meet, Solomon was the only WPIAL wrestler to win a PIAA title. Claassen and Murphy each placed second. Brashear senior Tamara Humphries (118) and Laurel junior Maggie Alfera (136) each took third.

Others earning PIAA medals were:

Fourth place: Connellsville senior Janayah Nobles (136), Trinity junior Elaina Ashby (148) and Peters Township sophomore Liliana Giulianelli (190)

Fifth place: South Park sophomore Anna Duncan (124) and Avella sophomore Abigail Dolanch (142)

Sixth place: Montour junior Kristen Walzer (100), Knoch junior Braylee Ireland (118), Moon sophomore Haley Smarsh (130) and Kiski Area junior Ava Golding (136)

Seventh place: Pine-Richland freshman Aariona Strader (124), Plum junior Sophia Davis (130) and Valley senior Arianna Bernard (190)

Eighth place: Fort Cherry junior Ella Trahan (106) and Norwin sophomore Karsyn Champion (155)

Some of the top teams were Canon-McMillan (10-1), Connellsville (3-1), Norwin (5-5), Valley (7-0), Upper St. Clair (11-5), North Allegheny (2-2) and Fox Chapel (6-3).

Wrestlers to Watch

Marlee Solomon

Canon-McMillan, junior, 112 pounds

The WPIAL’s lone PIAA champion in 2025, she was also the WPIAL and West Regional champion. She posted a 39-3 record.

Josephine Dollman

Norwin, senior, 148 pounds

A two-time WPIAL champion, she was 30-4 last season. An injury prevented her from participating in the PIAA championships. She is committed to Edinboro.

Octavia Walker

Norwin, junior, 170 pounds

She is a two-time WPIAL champion and a West Regional runner-up. She did not place in the PIAA championships. Her record was 28-10.

Haley Smarsh

Moon, junior, 130 pounds

She is a two-time WPIAL champion, and she placed sixth at the PIAA championships. Her record was 28-9.

Alaina Claassen

Plum, senior, 190

A two-time WPIAL champion, she placed second in the PIAA championships. Her record was 32-3.

Ava Golding

Kiski Area, senior, 136 pounds

A two-time WPIAL champion, she placed sixth in the PIAA championships. Her record was 35-3.

Zoey Murphy

Southmoreland, senior, 235

She won her first WPIAL title after placing second in 2024. She placed second in the PIAA championships. Her record was 21-2.

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.