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March 31, 2023

MHS wrestlers Noah Tapia and Maryam Ndiaye make history , too

By:Abhik Mostafa LO’T Reporter

Moline has made history this year in more than just boys basketball. The MHS’s very own Noah Tapia and Maryam Ndiaye both came away with second place runner-up fnishes at the IHSA wrestling tourraments, Tapia in the boy’s division, and Ndiaye, who the first MHS girl’s wrestler to earn a state honor.

Tapia, a current senior, has been wrestling since the age of three, and is currently committed to Hofstra University in New York to continue his wrestling and academic pursuits.

This is Tapia’s third time placing in the state tournament, and he has truly represented our school with pride, saying, “I love representing Moline, and I carry a great sense of pride competing for my school.

much in wrestling, Tapia states, “It’s a very fulfilling feeling because of all of the work that’s gone into it for the past four years, and my whole life, is being rewarded.” He adds that he can’t give all his credit to just his wrestling ability alone but to his coaches as well. “My coaches have absolutely made an becoming the first Maroon in school history to go to the IHSA state tournament for girls wrestling. When asked about how she feels about this great accomplishment, Ndiaye claims, “It feels extremely great to know that I have come this far even after [overcoming] my injury. Knowing that I made history for Moline High School and all of Moline is unbelievable to me, and I am very proud of myself. I honestly couldn’t have done it without my best friends because they are my biggest supporters. Also, my teammates... pushed me past my limits and made me stronger, and , of course, my coaches made me strong physicalled and mentally.”

MHS’s wrestling state runners-up, Noah Tapia and Maryam Ndiaye. Courtesy of Mrs. Hafner

AFTER HIGH SCHOOL, METRO IS STILL

For

Moline has a great community and I cherish the opportunity I’ve had to represent it.” When asked how it feels to have achieved so impact on me. They believed in me way before I ever believed in myself.”

Sophomore Maryam Ndiaye, Moline’s other IHSA wrestling state runner-up, made history by

Both Tapia and Ndiaye have made Moline proud by their performances at state, and we are so happy that they get to be part of MHS’s vast athletic history. We also wish both of them luck as they continue their wrestling careers.

March 31, 2023