To the Editor:

We would like to take a moment to recognize the Guilderland High School Varsity Girls’ Wrestling Program, which is currently in its fourth year.

Prior to the establishment of the varsity team, girls wrestled on the established team with mostly boys.

Girls’ program founders Aniella Kennedy and Nadia Hawrylchak got their start on the Guilderland modified and boys’ junior-varsity teams. During the 2022-23 season, Nadia and Aniella worked to recruit and develop the program.

They both saw incredible success during their high school seasons; both placed at the sectional tournament and competed at the state level. Both Guilderland High School graduates, Aniella is now helping to coach the current girls’ team and Nadia is wrestling at Ursinus College in Pennsylvania.

The program now has three Section Two placefinishers, with Liz Countermine joining the two program founders.

Their dedication, with the support of the Guilderland wrestling coaches, has helped build a strong program that inspires young female athletes in our community. We are excited for the future!

This season, we invite everyone to come support the team at a varsity wrestling match and witness the talent, determination, and spirit of Guilderland girls’ wrestling firsthand.

The Countermine, Hawrylchak, and Kennedy families Guilderland