Jada Weiss is the most recent wrestling state champion in Bellbrook history, taking the top step of the podium on March 9 at the Schottenstein Center in the 155 weight class as she claimed an overtime victory against the same wrestler she lost to in the District semifinals the previous week.
Weiss was far from a favorite going in, but she earned her way to the No. 1 spot starting the tournament with a 28-3 record. In the first round on Friday, Weiss defeated Razilee Wisseh of Canal Winchester, 7-2.
In the second and third round on Saturday, she qualified for the final match by taking down Reghan Koch of Austintown-Fitch, 11-9, and then moving into the finals by default – though she had a 13-4 lead – against the No. 1 seed in the entire weight class, previously undefeated Rejan Alhashash of Avon Lake. In the finals, Weiss was up against Natalie Carlisle of Lebanon, whom she lost to in the District semifinals, 8-5.
Weiss scored a point as regulation expired and as time was about to run out in the first overtime period, she defended a headlock, slipped the move for a takedown to win 7-4 and claim the title.
“I was just trying to remind myself about all the things I put in to be there and I had earned my spot to be there and make it there for a reason,” Weiss said. “I kept trying to take shots and wear her down. (in overtime) I knew she wasn’t going to take any shots, so I tried to stay on the offensive. I figured if I kept shooting I’d either get a stall call or a take down.”
BASKETBALL Both the boys and girls basketball teams finished as district runners-up this season though several of their members broke individual records. On the boys team, CJ Scohy broke the alltime and single-season marks for assists, (332 and 125, respectively). Austin Webb hit the 1,000-point plateau this season, and as a junior, broke the all-time 3-pointers made record.
“I didn’t know until a few games after it happened,” Scohy said. “They told me at practice. It was truly an honor.”
On the girls side, Libby Bunsold set the single-game and single-season steals record, swiping 18 on December 18, against Valley View and 185 throughout the season while averaging more than 7 steals per game.
“Honestly, I didn’t even realize that I was close to breaking the record while in that game,” Bunsold said. “Sure, I thought I had a decent amount of steals, but not THAT many. So when I found out I broke the record I was really excited, but I definitely have to give credit to the way our team pressures people.”
The girls team also captured its fifth straight Southwestern Buckeye League title with an undefeated record (8-0) in league play. As a result, seniors Jordan Frantz, Izzy Painter, Eva Koesters and Bella Beeghly completed a rare feat in winning six SWBL girls basketball titles. The foursome was part of seventh- and eighth-grade championships in junior high and were SWBL champions all four years of high school. The groups' record against SWBL competition over the last four years is 50-3.
SWIMMING
Michelle Dean highlighted the season in the pool, making it to state to compete in a pair of events and finishing on the podium. Dean finished 5th in the 200 freestyle at the state finals, besting her own school record in a time of 1:51.10. She finished 14th in the 100 backstroke.
“I love swimming so much because of my friends and opportunities to meet new people, regardless of how overwhelming the sport can sometimes be,” Dean said. Mia Nazarenus qualified for the state diving meet for the 3rd year in a row and finished 13th this season.
CHEERLEADING The Traditional Competition Cheer squad took third place at the OASSA State Competition and the Game Day Competition Cheer squad finished fourth during the OASSA State competition in February. Traditional also claimed the SWBL title.
*BHS Senior Jordan Frantz contributed to this report.