Preview: Smith Wrestling Begins 22-23 Season at Arlington Invitational

Nov 8 2022 10:26

The Newman Smith Wrestling Program is set to open the 2022-23 Season in Arlington at the 22nd annual Arlington Invitational. 

The Lady Trojans return the most veterans of the two respective teams, led by senior captains Paulina Chavez Muro (120 lbs.) and LaShiara Wilson (185 lbs.). Chavez Muro was a Regional Qualifier in February, while Wilson earned a spot in the UIL State Tournament last Winter. The Girls will enter with 4 in the JV brackets and 4 in the Varsity division, including seniors Anali Sandoval (235 lbs.) and Lorraine Rangel (165 lbs.) who both return to wrestle after not being in the lineup since the 2020-21 season. A newcomer making her first Varsity appearance is senior Tranyse Jones (145 lbs.), a 3-sport athlete with hopes of adding hardware to her career before graduation. 

Trojan Boys will enter all wrestlers as JV participants. After graduating a vast majority of the Varsity lineup in the Spring, the Boys will be looking to develop its youth and newcomers over the course of the season. Boys will be taking 12 to wrestle, highlighted by sophomore Toby Laird (120 lbs.) who aims to blossom after gaining club wrestling experience during the offseason. Another notable returner is junior Gerardo Ortiz (144 lbs.), who returns to the mat after an injury sat him down last season. One fresh face looking to make an early impact is junior Fabrizio Ledezma (165 lbs.), a naturally strong and athletic build that has asserted himself to the top of his respective weight class during preseason. 

"We've had to get creative in our approach of getting more kids into our mat room this year," head coach Devin Gillespie said with a smile. "Really proud of how our team has come together just in the preseason, and I'm excited to see how both teams grow between now and the new year."

Lady Trojans are set to begin action Friday at Noon, while Boys will start Saturday at 9:00am.