Abuqbitta, Torres punch state tickets at OHSAA District Meet for Patriots women
Valley Forge High School’s Patriots women’s wrestling program will send two athletes to the state tournament after a standout day at the OHSAA District Meet in Findlay, as heavy weight Hadeel Abuqbitta and teammate Joanna Torres both battled through their brackets to secure state-qualifying finishes.
Abuqbitta led the way for the Patriots by advancing all the way to the district final and finishing as runner-up with a 3-1 record on the day. The heavy weight standout was dominant through the early rounds, pinning three straight opponents to reach the championship bout. Her run included the fastest win of the day, finishing one match with a first-period fall in just 1:35 to set the tone for her bracket.
The defining moment of Abuqbitta’s tournament came in the semifinals, where she engineered a dramatic comeback to clinch her state berth. Trailing 9-4, Abuqbitta turned the match around, securing a pin that not only erased the deficit but also guaranteed her a spot in Columbus. Though she ultimately came up short in the final, Abuqbitta’s combination of resilience and finishing power highlighted a strong district performance.
Torres took a different but equally impressive route to a state ticket, reaching the finals and finishing fourth after wrestling six matches on what coaches described as her “flu game.” Competing while sick, Torres dropped her opening match despite leading on the scoreboard, forcing her to battle through the consolation side of the bracket with no margin for error.
From there, Torres responded with four consecutive victories to climb back into contention. She started the streak with a second-period pin after trailing in the match, then followed with another comeback win after being down 7-3. In the consolation semifinals, Torres earned a statement revenge victory over the opponent who handed her the early loss, dominating in an 18-2 technical fall to lock up her state qualification.
Over the course of six matches, Torres piled up 11 takedowns, showcasing her ability to score consistently even while battling illness and fatigue between bouts. Her combination of offense and grit in the back draw provided a major boost for the Patriots and underscored the depth of the lineup at the district level.
With Abuqbitta and Torres both advancing, Patriots women’s wrestling closes the district meet with two state qualifiers and momentum heading into the final stage of the postseason. The performances in Findlay continue a strong March for Valley Forge, and the team will now turn its focus to preparing the pair for the challenges of the state tournament.
