2024 Michigan Grappler Girls Dream Team

Wrestler of the Year

190 - Sabrina Nauss (Brighton) SR

Nauss was dominant in her final season as a Brighton Bulldog, winning her fourth girls state championship. She joins only Eliana Bommarito (Hartland) and fellow 2024 grad Angelina Pena (Milan) as four time state champs. Nauss has been equally as dominant on the national stage, winning her fourth stop sign in Fargo over the summer, as she claimed the 180lb Junior Women Freestyle National Championship. Nauss was 5-0 in the Junior Women national duals, picking up 5 pins along the way. The Senior finishes her career ranked as the #7 pound-for-pound girl in the country, according to USA Wrestling.

First Team

100 - Madison Nieuwenhuis (Plainwell) SO

Nieuwenhuis had one of the best seasons in recent memory, winning almost everything she entered. Over the past year, Nieuwenhuis has won the 16U Women’s Nationals in Fargo, won her match at the FloWrestling Who’s Number One event, and claimed gold at Super 32s. On top of that, she entered the 2023 Midlands Championships in December and won the toughest regular season college tournament in the country. She capped off her season with 3 pins and a forfeit at the state tournament.

105 - Natalie Gibson (Chippewa Hills) JR

Reaching the state finals for the second consecutive year, Gibson was able to reach the top of the podium this season. After taking 2nd at Regionals, Gibson pinned her way through the state tournament, including pins in under a minute in both the semis and finals.

110 - Nakayla Dawson (Westland John Glenn) SO

Dawson was dominant at the state tournament to claim her second state title, picking up three falls and not giving up a point. During the regular season, Dawson won the New Lothrop Hall of Fame tournament and took 2nd at the KLAA Conference tournament, knocking off numerous eventual stace placers from the boys divisions. Dawson also earned a 5th place finish at the 16U Women's National Championships in Fargo and ends the season ranked #12 in the country.

115 - Sunni LaFond (Gaylord) JR

Now a 2x state finalist, LaFond won her first state championship this year at 115lbs. She picked up three consecutive pins through the semis before winning an exciting 13-9 decision in the gold medal match. During the season, LaFond took 5th at the Northern Michigan Championships and was runner-up in the Big North Conference.

120 - Lola Barkby (Sturgis) JR

After taking 4th in her region, Barkby had an impressive run to a state championship at 120lbs. She earned three decisions and a pin in the semis to claim her first state title. During the regular season, Barkby won the Ron Russo Classic, Hastings Girls Invite, and took 3rd at the Wolverine Conference tournament.

125 - Tyler Swanigan (South Lyon East) SR

Swanigan dominated this season, winning her second girls state championship. Swanigan cruised through the state finals, earning two pins and two majors. Additionally, Swanigan had an outstanding offseason, placing 4th at Junior Women's National Championships in Fargo at 127lbs. Swanigan finishes her Senior year ranked 7th in the country at 125lbs.

130 - Angelina Pena (Milan) SR

Pena became just the second wrestler to win her fourth state championship this year, followed shortly thereafter by Sabrina Nauss. Pena cruised through her last MHSAA state tournament, picking up a pin in every match. Immediately following the season, Pena won a Junior Women's Folkstyle national championship in Iowa. Pena finishes her high school career ranked #25 in the country.

135 - Margaret Buurma (Fowlerville) JR

Buurma claimed her third state championship in three trips, continuing her pace to be a 4x state champ. The Fowlerville Gladiator picked up three pins and added a major in the finals to claim another state championshiop. Following the MHSAA season, Buurma won a Junior Women's Folkstyle national championship in Iowa and finishes her Junior campaign ranked 17th in the country at 135lbs.

140 - Belicia Manuel (Romeo) SO

Manuel earned three first-period pins to reach the MHSAA finals, where she eventually won an 8-7 decision to claim her first state championship. In the offseason, Manuel reached the podium at Super 32s, taking 4th at 148lbs, while also winning the USA Girls Midwest Championships. The Sophomore finishes her season ranked top-5 in the nation.

145 - Kaili Manuel (Romeo) FR

Manuel put together a fantastic Freshman campaign, winning the Alma Open (college), 16U Women's National Championships, and she just recently made the U17 Women's world team. In the preseason, Manuel was impressive at Super 32s, winning the championship at 148lbs. The phenom Freshman finishes her debut season ranked #2 in the country.

155 - Maddie Hayden (Caledonia) SO

Hayden picked up four first-period pins to claim her second straight state championship. During the regular season, Hayden won the Kent County Championship, and she was impressive in the Midlands Championships, taking 3rd at the toughest in-season college tournament in the country. Hayden was a 16U Women's National Championships finalist in Fargo over the summer and finishes her Sophomore year ranked 14th in the country.

170 - Maddison Ward (Niles Brandywine) JR

Ward pinned her way through the state tournament, including two first period falls. During the season, Ward won the Adam H Provencal Invitational, Ron Russo Classic, and the Altman Girls tournament. Ward followed up her impressive season with a gold finish at the NUWAY Nationals, picking up a pin in every match.

190 - Gabriella Allen (Marcellus) SR

Allen pinned her way through the Regional tournament to reach Ford Field. The Senior then pinned her way through the semis, reaching the finals against Brighton's Sabrina Nauss. During the regular season, Allen won the Altman Girls tournament, the Northview Girls tournament, and the SW 10 Invitational.

235 - Madasyn Frisbie (Belding) JR

After picking up pins in her first two matches at Ford Field, the Junior picked up a 1-point win in the semis and a gritty OT win in the finals to win her second state championship. Frisbie finishes her Junior year ranked 15th at 235lbs.

Second Team

100 - Olesya Mullins (St. Louis) SO
105 - Tricia Pyrzewski (Gladwin) SR
110 - Cheyenne Frank (Oxford) SO
115 - Gracey Barry (Grand Haven) JR
120 - Faith Burgess (Grand Blanc) JR
125 - Jamie Cook (DeWitt) JR
130 - Isabella Cepak (South Lyon East) JR
135 - Paisley Denault (Clarkston) SO
140 - Emily Medford (Waterford Kettering) SR
145 - Rihanna Venegas (Riverview Gabriel Richard)JR
155 - Brynn Campbell (Holt) SR
170 - Heaven Cole (Loy Norrix) JR
190 - Maddisyn Miller (Ovid-Elsie) SR
235 - Braelyn Flemming (Spring Lake) JR

Third Team

100 - Alyssa Campbell (Allen Park) SO
105 - Ryleigh Ruiz (DeWitt) JR
110 - Sky Langewicz (Algonac) JR
115 - Alexandra Stiltner (Harper Creek) SO
120 - Elyse Morales (Mattawan) SO
125 - Kennady Tiitola (Swan Valley) SR
130 - Brynn Brower (Grand Haven) JR
135 - Faith Blackburn (Clinton) SR
140 - Violet Cabrera (Freeland) JR
145 - Sienna Tovar (Jackson) SR
155 - Ava Pelton (Montague) JR
170 - Amarisa Manuel (Romeo) SR
190 - Kanata Richardson (Bloomfield Hills) SO
235 - AnnMarie Green (Clare) SO