Whittier Tech freshman Olivia Leone has already made a major impact in her first high school wrestling season, capturing the Division 1 state championship in the 145-pound weight class and finishing the year with an impressive 24–5 record.
Leone, a Haverhill resident and Health Assisting student at Whittier Tech, followed her state championship with a third-place finish at the All-State tournament. That performance qualified her for the New England Championships, where she advanced to the quarterfinals and finished with a 2–2 record.
“She's just a freshman, but already wrestling like a veteran,” said Whittier Tech Wrestling Head Coach Ryan Richards. “She's tough and never out of a match. We are lucky to have her in the program and for her to continue to be a role model for female wrestlers.”
Leone began wrestling at age 11 while in sixth grade at St. Monica’s School in Methuen. After previously playing basketball, she decided to try wrestling when there were not enough girls interested in forming a team that year. Encouraged by her father and inspired by her younger brother Mitchell, who was already wrestling, she quickly found a passion for the sport.
“I loved it from the very first practice,” Leone said.
In seventh grade, Leone transferred to J.G. Whittier Middle School in Haverhill, where she continued developing her skills with the Haverhill Hammers Wrestling program. Reflecting on her freshman season, Leone said it exceeded even her own expectations.
“This season was so much more than I was expecting for myself,” she said. “I wanted to be competitive and set a goal of qualifying for New Englands. Along the way, I achieved goals that I hadn’t even thought about at the beginning of the season, including winning 20+ matches. I met many new friends and had so much fun.”
Leone credits her success to the strong support system around her, including her parents, Nick and Renee Leone; Whittier Tech Coaches Ryan Richards and Chris Lacroix; Haverhill Hammers Coach Joe DelGrosso; and her teammates and extended family.
Looking ahead, she has ambitious goals for her sophomore season. “My goals for next year are to win D1 States again, make it to the All States championship match and medal at New Englands,” Leone said. “I want to continue to grow in the sport and become a collegiate wrestler.”
Outside the wrestling room, Leone hopes to attend college, travel and pursue a career in healthcare. She is also excited about the growing opportunities for girls in the sport.
“It’s the fastest growing sport in the country for girls,” she said. “I’m hoping more girls come out for the team next year.”
Photo Courtesy of Arthur Zaino