Wrestler pins down Edison school’s first individual championship

By Alex Lowe Correspondent

Four years ago, Apryl Coffman had never set foot on a wrestling mat. To day, she is a state champion, the first in the combined history of the St. Thomas Aquinas/Bishop Ahr High School wres tling program.

Coffman broke open a scoreless match against Jade Hahn of Donovan Catholic, Toms River, with an escape and a takedown in the second period, then delivered the winning move by execut ing a counter throw off her opponent’s headlock attempt for the fall at 5:19 to win the state title at 185 pounds.

The championship matches were held at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City March 5.

“Jade Hahn was a very good com petitor,” said Coffman, a senior. “I kept my cool. I knew she was waiting on the one shot that I would always take. Meanwhile, I was waiting on her headlock, which she gave to me three times. I spent the week defending left sided headlocks because she had a very good one.”

Coffman’s journey from novice to state champ has been remarkable. Through her junior year, Coffman had posted a career mark of 24-20. But as a senior, she finished with a 33-2 record, with 20 pinfall victories.

“I started wrestling when I was 14, in my freshman year,” said Coffman, now 17. “What attracted me [to wrestling] was my brother, who played three sports including, wrestling. I used to sit and watch him after school. That was the one sport that really motivated me.

“My brother passed away a few years ago and I wanted to do something in memory of him. Having mental strength helps build confidence. Without the confidence I’ve built over the years, I don’t think I’d have been able to accomplish what I did. You can ask anybody. I’m my own worst critic. I think just being more confident in what I know how to do and being ready for anything. Just because someone scores on you doesn’t mean the match is over.”

Coffman said her moment of ultimate triumph in Atlantic City left her speechless.

“I was filled with shock when I won,” she said. “I didn’t know quite how to react in the moment. My match wasn’t the best I’ve ever wrestled, but I wrestled well enough to win.

“My family started crying when I won,” she continued. “Really, they were crying the entire weekend. They were so proud of me because I’ve come such a long way, not only physically, but mentally, too.”

Coffman wasn’t the only big performer for Saint Thomas Aquinas. Sophomore Saniyah Queen earned a second-place finish at 145 pounds. It was Queen’s second medal at the state championships since transferring as a freshman. Queen lost to Olivia Georges of DePaul High School, Wayne, in the championship match.

“That final match, I wasn’t in the support system I always have. They were amazing. They tried to get me out of my head, but it was a different environment for me. I had been there before to watch my brother wrestle, but I never actually stepped on the mat. We went out earlier so we could get used to the mat. Ever since I first started wrestling, I have a habit of getting into my own head. That is always my biggest competitor.”

Like Coffman, Queen was inspired to wrestle by her brother.

“I had wanted to wrestle since the age of 8,” she said. “I was never allowed to because there weren’t too many girls wrestling then. When I was allowed to my freshman year [as a 14-year-old], that is when I started.”

St. Thomas Aquinas High School is rapidly developing a reputation as a powerhouse in girls’ wrestling. The success of Coffman and Queen at the state level only serves as an exclamation point.

“To be a part of what Apryl and Saniyah and the boys’ program is doing right now is something very special,” said coach Nicholas Tonzola. “Girls athletics here has always been fantastic and when the state sanctioned girls wrestling, a lot of people that I’ve known in the wrestling community reached out to me immediately and said that I was going to get my first state champ because the girls’ sports there at STAHS is great. It was true and it is very special. Just talking about it gives me goose bumps. Since Apryl won, I

Successful Season

The girls bowling team at St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Edison, finished the season with a 17-1-1 record, including 12-0 in the Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC) White Division to win that crown and earn the No. 1 seed in the GMC tournament, where they finished tied for third. The team then won the North 2 Group 1 state sectional championship for the second consecutive season, the only ones in school history for girls bowling, and finished second by 50 pins out of 50 teams in the Group 1 state championship, said head coach Richard Maddock, who was named White Division and GMC coach of the year.

have received in the neighborhood of 300 messages from people that were involved in our pro gram through the decades, just sending their support and their love.”

Coffman is receiving interest from several colleges and universities where she hopes to continue her wrestling career. Queen will return as a favorite to contend for the state title that has proved elusive during her first two seasons.

“What I love about Apryl and Saniyah is that they genuinely love the sport of wrestling,” said Tonzola. “It is a grind. It is a grueling sport both physically and mentally. Their love of the sport shows through their work ethic and their attitude in practice and through their ability to deal with success and setbacks.”