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Community Corner

Brianna DeLaney: Nationally Ranked Wrestler

Our Whiz Kid this week ranks fifth in the nation according to the United States Girls Wrestling Association.

Name:  Brianna DeLaney 

School:  Eighth-grader at Eyer Middle School

Accomplishment:  Brianna, a member of the United States Girls Wrestling Association (USGWA) - middle school division, won state titles in Pennsylvania and New Jerseyand went on to place fifth in the national tournament held in Michigan.

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Key to Awesomeness:  Brianna decided at the age of seven, while watching her six-year-old brother, Craig, in a wrestling match, that this was something she wanted to participate in, too.  “It was better than sitting in the stands,” she said, now age 14.

This past year, Brianna wrestled for the Emmaus Middle School team (both Eyer and Lower Macungie Middle Schools, combined into one team), ending with a 20-12 record, with competitions against mostly male rivals.

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She also began to wrestle girls this past season when she joined the USGWA at the encouragement of her coach, Cory Knucio.  As she participated in the state and national tournaments, Brianna realized “there were many more girls interested in wrestling than what I thought.”

On April 30 she won first place in the freestyle category at Dierff High School, which qualified her for the state competition on May 21 in Belmont, PA.  Brianna won the competition, taking the title of state champion for the 115 pound freestyle wrestling for the state of Pennsylvania.

In addition to wrestling, she plays football and softball at Eyer Middle School, and is on the Macungie Bears swim team.

Brianna plans to join the Emmaus High School wrestling team and softball team next year when she moves up to ninth grade.

In her spare time, Brianna enjoys baking, especially cookies.  She would like to become a teacher and possibly help coach a sports team. 

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