"She's not just a good girl wrestler, she's aa good wrestler--period," Smithsburg coach Joe Dietrich said of the Leopards' 103-pound sophomore Monica Hovermale (top), who enters as a defending champion with a record of 19-2 with 15 falls into this weekend's Washington County Tournament,. (Photo by Mats Tuttas).
Smithsburg's 103-pound sophomore Monica Hovermale (above) has 30 pins among her 39 victories in two seasons. "I believe one of my strengths as a wrestler is that I'm strong," said Hovermale, 15, who holds several school records for weightlifting. (Photo by Mats Tuttas)
As a freshman last season, Smithsburg's Monica Hovermale achieved her goal of becoming the first girl to win a Washington County League tournament title when she pinned South Hagerstown's Dane Devin.
That was the third time she had pinned Devin in as many meeting, but Hovermale would not win another match.
At last year's Class 2A-1A West Regional, Hovermale lost twice, and was done.
So this year, the sophomore has returned to the 103-pound class with more determination than ever.
"My long term goals for wrestling are to have an undefeated season and to hopefully reach 100 wins," said Hovermale, 15, whose two-year victory total has reached 39 with 30 falls as she looks to defend her county title this weekend.
"This year," said Hovermale, "I want to go to states and place."
If Hovermale does place at states, she will be the first girl to win a match at the Maryland 2A-1A state championships.
In 2005, Jade Hendricks of Western Tech was the first girl to qualify for the Class 2A-1A states, this, during the same year that Arundel's Nicole Woody was the first girl to reach the Class 4A-3A version.
Hendricks and Woody each went 0-2.
But the following year, Woody and then-freshman Helen Maroulis of Magruder qualified, yet again, at 103, and, 112-pounds, respectively.
Maroulis became the first girl to place, finishing fifth that year. Woody did not place, but she did become the first girl to pin a boy at states.
Last year, however, Woody became the state's first female runner-up, again, at 103 pounds, when she lost to River Hill's Scott Mantua in the Class 4A-3A state title bout.
And Woody's accomplishment came only one week after having become the first female to win a Maryland regional crown when she captured the Class 4A-3A East Region title during a tournament in which Mantua was third.
Maroulis qualified last season, again at 112 pounds, but went 0-2.
Maroulis is a junior who not only is the No. 2 seed entering this weekend's Montgomery County Tournament, but who is also the owner of a victory over the top seeded, defending champ, Danny Lethbridge, of Paint Branch, who was third at last year's states at 112.
"I always try to perform 100 percent, no matter what, and to always do my best," Hovermale said. "Helen and Nicole are older than me. I hope to do as good as they've done."
Smithsburg coach Joe Dietrich is one who believes that Hovermale not only can, but will.
"She's not just a good girl wrestler, she's a good wrestler -- period," said Dietrich, who coached Monica's brother, Justin, to a county championship finish, a third place effort at regions and an overall 33-3 record last season.
Among the more impressive things about Hovermale is her strength and power.
"Monica was a freshman last year, so she took a required physical education class and then she signed up for my strength training class," said Dietrich. "Monica broke all of the girls' school records for the lightest weight class and body percentage by 100 percentage points."
Hovermale, who also plays soccer and lacrosse, said she hears "surprisingly, nothing negative from anyone about being a girl wrestler."
"I have the support of my teammates, family and friends," said Hovermale. "I plan on attending many girl wrestling tournments this year. I would like to wrestle in college, and also, play soccer and lacrosse."
Monica Hovermale, at a glance:
Age: 15
Grade: Sophomore
Height: 5-feet
GPA: 3.2
Age at which she started wrestling: 5
Parents: Richard and Trisha.
Siblings: Justin, 18, and Shane, 7.
Comments about family: "I have been wrestling for nine years. Prior to high school, I wrestled junior leagues. My dad was my coach. I watched my older brother wrestle since I was 3."
"It was something I wanted to do. My mom doesn't agree with it, but I like it, so she supports me anyway."
"Justin wrestled for 13 years. He made it to states one year. This is Shane's third year wrestling. He has only two losses. He's a beast."
"All three of us siblings have a good relationship. We're all very competitive and we wrestle with each other to get better. Justin is like another coach to me."
Hobbies: "Lifting weights, working out, playing all sports. I spend about an hour a day doing some type of excersizing."
Occupational goals: "I would like to be either a teacher or a nurse. I'm still undecided."
Invitational tournament placement: First at Smithsburg, second at Parkville and Springbrook
This year's losses: by 8-0 to Atholton's Kevin Beck; by 19-3 technical fall to Owings Mills' Avi Friedman. Beck and Friedman are the No. 1 seeds in their respective Howard and Baltimore County Tournaments.
Other notable wrestling facts:
--Returns to the 103-pound weight class where, as freshman, last year, she became Washington County's first female champion, pinning South Hagerstown's Dane Devin in 3:13.
--Went 20-13 last year with 15 falls, four forfeits, one decision
--Takes a 19-2 record, 15 falls, three forfeits, one decision into this weekend's Washington County Tournament
--Bench presses 150 pounds; Squats 215; Dead lifts 315; Power cleans 140.