Princeton freshman Lilly Fowler applies a chokehold on Rockwall-Heath’s Kylie Keach during the 130-pound match at the Frisco Liberty Quad on Nov. 12. Photo by David Wolman / C&S Media

By David Wolman

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FRISCO – With 12 seniors graduated and no returning state placers, Princeton head wrestling coach Ryan DeLaVergne expected his teams to take some early lumps. That inexperience showed last week as both the boys and girls opened their seasons against top-tier competition.

The Panther boys suffered a 71–4 loss to Class 6A No. 22 Rockwall-Heath, with Princeton’s lone victory coming from Jeremiah Soto, who earned an 11–1 major decision at 126 pounds. Rockwall-Heath won 12 of the 13 contested matches by either pin or technical fall, including five first-period pins.

On the girls’ side, the Lady Panthers fell 57–18 to Rockwall-Heath. Princeton’s highlight came from Kayden McKinnie, who pinned Andrea Ramos in the second period of the 140-pound match. Princeton also collected forfeit wins at 125 and 190 pounds, but Rockwall-Heath won every other match wrestled live.

Princeton went on to drop both additional duals at the Frisco Liberty quad, falling 58–24 to Flower Mound and 39–30 to Frisco Liberty.

“We are young this year,” DeLaVergne said. “A big portion of our lineup consists of athletes stepping into a varsity role for the first time. With no returning state placers, it’s a new era for us. That can be exciting, but it also comes with some growing pains early.”

Princeton briefly led Flower Mound 24–12 after a pin by Alexandria Ramos at 125 and a forfeit win for Lillian Fowler at 130. But the Lady Jaguars closed strong with 46 unanswered points, including two pins and a 13–1 major decision.

Against Frisco Liberty, Princeton again started fast, taking a 12–6 lead after a pin by Erin Marquez at 120. But the Lady Redhawks capitalized on five Princeton forfeits at 100, 105, 110, 170, and 235, and won the other contested matches to claim the dual.

Marquez—Princeton’s lone returning state qualifier—finished the night 2–1 with two pins. She is coming off a 38–11 junior season but went 0–2 at the state tournament.

“Erin has big goals, and I think she can achieve them,” DeLaVergne said. “She didn’t necessarily learn a lot of new things this summer, but she drilled hard and sharpened her craft. She also attended camp at Oklahoma University.”

Back on the boys’ side, the Panthers, after the tough opener, responded with a convincing 68–12 win over Frisco Liberty.

Princeton secured bonus-point victories in nearly every match, including: Logan Wilczynski (pin at 120 pounds), Jeremiah Soto (19-3 technical fall at 126), Nolan Christian (pin at 132), Hunter Altemus (pin at 138), Nolan Culverhouse (18-5 major decision at 150), D’Kylan Lovett (first-period pin at 157), Chris Winkle (18-1 technical fall at 165), Austin Aparicio (second-period pin at 175), Maddox Obera (first-period pin at 215), Kodjo Nomagnon (first-period pin at 285) and Thaydan Fillingham (second-period pin at 106). 

“Starting off against Rockwall-Heath was an eye-opener for a lot of our team,” DeLaVergne said. “Heath is one of the top 6A programs in the state, so they got to see what elite-level wrestling looks and feels like. I’m proud of how we bounced back. They knew we’d address the loss later—right then, they needed to focus on getting the next win, which they did.”