Saige Rittenhouse of the Parkland High School girls wrestling team is used to winning important matches and seeing individual success, along with her team’s successes. The junior finished second at last weekends’s Southeast Regional Wrestling Championships and is one of five Parkland girls wrestlers to qualify for the upcoming state championship tournament in Hershey.

Rittenhouse won her first two matches in the 112-pound weight class, but lost in the championship match at the South East Regional Tournament at Quakertown High School last Sunday. She recorded a 6-0 decision over Sam Bentz from Cheltenham in the quarterfinal round and a 10-6 decision against Emma Englehardt of Owen J. Roberts in the semifinals before being pinned by the champion from Pleasant Valley, Juliette Trout.

“I think this was a great experience,” said Rittenhouse. “The sport is growing and getting bigger, which is great to see. I’m happy and proud to just be here because last year I didn’t even make it. I was determined to get here and go further than I did last year. It’s so cool seeing four other teammates here. We’re all so supportive of each other and want to see everyone succeed.”

Joining her at Regionals was Ella Hesener at 100 pounds, Lily Snook at 106, Angelina Spachman at 142 pounds and Lizkarla Grullon Vasquez at 190 pounds. Spachman placed third overall and each of Hesener, Snook and Grullon Vasquez ended the day fourth.

The Trojans took second place as a team at regionals. They earned 71 points and Souderton, which won the event, had 74.5 points.

Hesener pinned Valerie Sanchez out of Harry S. Truman in the quarterfinal round, but lost via a 15-2 major decision to Ashely Stank of Quakertown in the semis. She then fell just short in the third-place match, losing via a 7-2 decision to Chelsea Dressler from Nazareth. Hesener was the EPC champion and District runner-up this season.

Snook began her day with a pin over Alisa Zeng of Upper Dublin. She then was pinned in the semifinals by Julia Horger of Conwell-Egan. Snook fell to a 7-4 decision in the third place match against Holly McKinney of Souderton. She was the District runner-up.

“I’m so excited to be going to states,” said Snook. “Going to Hershey as a sophomore is a great opportunity and I’m going to relish every second.”

Spachman pinned Elizabeth Watts of Pennridge in the quarterfinal round, but was pinned by Aeriel Stallworth from Catasauqua in the semis. She bounced back with a pin against Elizabeth Watts of Pennridge to earn third place. Spachman was third at Districts.

“I’ve worked a lot on my technique and really improved that this year,” said Spachman. “I came in here wanting to get top four and go to states and I’m so happy I was able to achieve that. From going 0-2 last year to now states, it’s amazing.”

Grullon Vasquez lost her first match of the day, getting pinned by Jocelyn Yanes of Souderton in the quarterfinal round. She then won her first consolation match, pinning Kathryn Phinney of New Hope-Solebury and then earning an 8-5 decision against Daniella Maxwell from North Penn in the consolation semifinals. Grullon Vasquez lost to Jaylynn Reeder of Coatesville via pin in the third place match. She was the District 11 runner-up.

The next and final step now this season is the PIAA Girls Championships at the Giant Center in Hershey next week, beginning Thursday, March 6, and running through Saturday, March 8.