Sixteen student-athletes attended the first official practice of the Upper Perkiomen's girls wrestling program last week. They participated with excitement and focus, according to head coach Omar Porrata.

"It's going great," he said.

Jordyn Landis and Emily Mays square off Monday, while head coach Omar Porrata looks on, during an Upper  Perkiomen girls wrestling practice.

            Twelve high school students and four middle schoolers participated in a joint practice on Friday, Nov. 17. Porrata described their dedication as commendable.

            "The turnout was better than I expected," he said. "It's a credit to the local wrestling community."

            The sessions feature a combination of exercises that incorporate a medicine ball and wrestling technique. Porrata, who described it as a "boot camp" type of practice, instructs on one to three specific moves.

            "We're focusing on the basics," the coach said. "The idea is to work a small number of movements to perfection."

            The new team will receive a two-pound allowance after Dec. 25. The members will follow all PIAA rules, including completing and passing hydration testing, completing weight certifications, and following weight descent plans in TrackWrestling.

            Girls teams through Pennsylvania will also be required to follow the same weight certification procedures as the boys. The rules will allow for an adjustment in how body fat is measured as well as setting the rate of minimum body fat allowed at 12 percent, according to a document from Sanction PA posted at PA-wrestling.com.

            It states that new rules require that boys and girls observe the same weigh-in rules, meaning the process can occur at the same time and in the same space. All contestants are required to wear their uniform and a suitable undergarment without shoes or an ear guard.

            Like the boys team, the girls team will include 13 weight classes: 100 pounds, 106, 112, 118, 124, 130, 136, 142, 148, 155, 170, 190 and 235. The Tribe should be able to fill at least 11 of those spots, according to Porrata.

            The team's only seniors, Kaylyn Addair and Adrianna Moyer, will both serve as captains. Addair has been wrestling since the age of five.

"Kaylyn is so excited," said Porrata, a social studies teacher at the middle school.

            The varsity roster includes Nadia Ventrella, Jacinda Loose, Jordyn Landis, Alex Cannon, Emily Mays, Abigail Rowland, Reigna Scott, Addy Page, Avery Holly, Emilee Blackington and Charlotte Pierson.

            Girls wrestling throughout Pennsylvania will have one classification. The participants will be eligible to compete in district, regional and state tournaments.

            With only 18 schools in District One – including Souderton, Quakertown, North Penn and Pennridge – and four other members of the Pioneer Athletic Conference – Owen J. Roberts, Perkiomen Valley, Boyertown and Pottstown – filling the schedule has been a challenge, according to Porrata. The initial schedule posted on the district's athletic website featured only one meet and nothing at home.

            However, the coach said he has added several events to the schedule including a match at Bethlehem Catholic. Porrata also expressed confidence that the Indians would have at least one home match. He said he was "80 percent sure" the Indians would host it on Jan. 10.

            The Tribe will get its first taste of competition on Nov. 30 during a multi-team scrimmage at Boyertown. It is scheduled to participate in at least six tournaments, beginning Dec. 9 with the third annual North Penn Invitational Girls Tournament.

            Additional tournaments include the Wetzel Classic at Hatboro-Horsham High School (Dec. 28-29), the Matness at the MACC at Montgomery High School in Lycoming County (Jan. 6), and the Souderton Big Red Girls Individual (Jan. 13).