Hereford High Girls Wrestling 2025 Season Recap: A Year of Breakthroughs, Belief, and Bright Futures
The 2025 winter wrestling season was a special one for the Hereford High School Girls Wrestling team, and under the guidance of Head Coach Brett Baier, the program saw unprecedented growth, not just in wins and podium finishes but in resilience, development, and team culture. What began as a season filled with questions about roster depth and experience turned into a campaign that delivered county and regional success, individual breakthroughs, and a foundation for long-term strength.
Coach Baier proudly described the season as a success, and the numbers and stories back that up. With five wrestlers placing at both the County and Regional Championships, including a pair of finalists and a two-time champion, the Bulls have plenty to be proud of and even more to look forward to.
Key Wrestlers Lead the Charge
At the heart of Hereford’s season were two sophomore standouts: Julia Abel (100 lbs) and Mia Stevenson (190 lbs). Both in their second year, they showed the power of experience and commitment, emerging as the top wrestlers on the team.
Julia’s season was nothing short of dominant. She went 18-4 against female competitors, capturing both Baltimore County and Regional titles, and scoring two pins at the state tournament, finishing the year ranked 9th in the state of Maryland.
Mia Stevenson also took a major leap this season. Finishing 16-9, Mia was a regional finalist, took 4th in the county, and pinned two opponents at States. Her five losses came against the third and fourth-ranked girls in the state, demonstrating she’s already competing at a high level. She finished the season ranked 7th in Maryland, making her one of the top returners in the state next year.
A Defining Moment: The Hartford Tech Thriller
One of the most memorable highlights of the season came in January, when Hereford took on powerhouse Harford Tech in what would become a defining dual meet.
The Bulls pulled off a 39-37 upset victory, and the win was a full team effort. Sophia Garbarino, a freshman heavyweight, clinched the match with a 4-0 decision that required six full minutes of grit and determination. Rowan Heiner and Priya Buie each secured first-period pins, while Julia, Aubrey Burkhardt, and Kentenette “Kennie” Fleming added forfeits.
Perhaps the most inspiring performance came from Antigoni Lymperis, who was trailing 11-0 and had to fight off her back twice before pinning her opponent in the third period. In another match, Mia Stevenson—facing a top-three state wrestler who had previously pinned her twice in the first period—battled for a full six minutes, saving valuable team points. This meet wasn’t just a win in the standings—it was a victory for the team’s belief in themselves.
Freshman Impact and Growth
The team’s success this season was not just driven by veterans—several first-year wrestlers emerged as future stars.
Leading that group was Priya Buie (115 lbs), a freshman who quickly made an impact. With 10 wins, she took third at counties, reached the regional finals, and qualified for states—a rare feat for a first-year competitor.
Antigoni Lymperis (145 lbs) also showed remarkable improvement, finishing the year with eight wins and a fourth-place regional finish. Coach Baier named her the team’s “Most Improved Wrestler” for good reason—her tenacity and drive set her apart as someone to watch moving forward.
At heavyweight, Sophia Garbarino (235 lbs) made her presence known, winning seven matches, placing third at counties and fifth at regionals, and even earning a brief spot in the state rankings, peaking at #16 during the season.
Team Challenges and Lessons Learned
While the team had numerous individual successes, it also had to navigate significant challenges, particularly with lineup depth. The Bulls finished 1-3 in dual meets, largely due to forfeiting weight classes at 105, 110, 120, 125, and 170.
Injuries also played a role in limiting team output, notably with junior Aubrey Burkhardt (130 lbs), a multi-year contributor who had to miss time this season. Still, her past accolades—2022 Regional Champion and 2023 County Champ—remain part of the strong culture of the program.
Coach Baier is already thinking about how to address these issues. “Managing injuries is something we need to work on more next season,” he shared, emphasizing the importance of health, recovery, and sustainability in building a long-term successful program.
The Senior Story and Returner Excitement
Hereford’s senior class was light this year, with only one graduating athlete: Kentenette “Kennie” Fleming (155 lbs), a first-year wrestler who balanced her time with band and theater. She contributed two wins to the team and provided a unique presence in a program dominated by underclassmen.
The silver lining? Everyone else is returning.
That’s right—nearly the entire roster, including all podium finishers, will be back next year. That continuity is a massive advantage and gives the Bulls the ability to grow together, both on and off the mat.
Coach Baier put it best: “I'm excited to see the girls continue to improve, both on the mat and as people… gaining confidence for life’s tough situations.”
Looking Ahead: Growth, Community, and Grit
There’s plenty of excitement around the future of Hereford Girls Wrestling. The coaching staff is encouraging athletes to take part in the Zone Wrestling Club, run by Josh Asper, a four-time Maryland State Champion and two-time NCAA All-American who also serves as Hereford’s boys' head coach. Access to that level of coaching and competition could be a game-changer.
The team is also doubling down on growth through recruitment. “Our slogan will be ‘Bring a Friend to Tryouts’ again next year,” Baier said, emphasizing the importance of growing the program from within the school community.
Final Word: Building Something Bigger Than Wins
While the Hereford Girls Wrestling team had plenty of success this year—podium finishes, state qualifiers, thrilling duals—perhaps the most important win was cultural. This is a team full of young, determined athletes who are learning to wrestle, to compete, and to believe in themselves.
They’re building something bigger than records—they’re building confidence, toughness, and character.
And as for the scoreboard? Well, the wins are already stacking up—and more are on the way.
For match results and updates, check out Hereford Wrestling on social media or follow local rankings and recaps online. The Bulls are just getting started.
 and Mia Stevenson (190 lbs). Both in their second year, they showed the power of experience and commitment, emerging as the top wrestlers on the team.
Julia’s season was nothing short of dominant. She went 18-4 against female competitors, capturing both Baltimore County and Regional titles, and scoring two pins at the state tournament, finishing the year ranked 9th in the state of Maryland.
Mia Stevenson also took a major leap this season. Finishing 16-9, Mia was a regional finalist, took 4th in the county, and pinned two opponents at States. Her five losses came against the third and fourth-ranked girls in the state, demonstrating she’s already competing at a high level. She finished the season ranked 7th in Maryland, making her one of the top returners in the state next year.
A Defining Moment: The Hartford Tech Thriller
One of the most memorable highlights of the season came in January, when Hereford took on powerhouse Harford Tech in what would become a defining dual meet.
The Bulls pulled off a 39-37 upset victory, and the win was a full team effort. Sophia Garbarino, a freshman heavyweight, clinched the match with a 4-0 decision that required six full minutes of grit and determination. Rowan Heiner and Priya Buie each secured first-period pins, while Julia, Aubrey Burkhardt, and Kentenette “Kennie” Fleming added forfeits.
Perhaps the most inspiring performance came from Antigoni Lymperis, who was trailing 11-0 and had to fight off her back twice before pinning her opponent in the third period. In another match, Mia Stevenson—facing a top-three state wrestler who had previously pinned her twice in the first period—battled for a full six minutes, saving valuable team points. This meet wasn’t just a win in the standings—it was a victory for the team’s belief in themselves.
Freshman Impact and Growth
The team’s success this season was not just driven by veterans—several first-year wrestlers emerged as future stars.
Leading that group was Priya Buie (115 lbs), a freshman who quickly made an impact. With 10 wins, she took third at counties, reached the regional finals, and qualified for states—a rare feat for a first-year competitor.
Antigoni Lymperis (145 lbs) also showed remarkable improvement, finishing the year with eight wins and a fourth-place regional finish. Coach Baier named her the team’s “Most Improved Wrestler” for good reason—her tenacity and drive set her apart as someone to watch moving forward.
At heavyweight, Sophia Garbarino (235 lbs) made her presence known, winning seven matches, placing third at counties and fifth at regionals, and even earning a brief spot in the state rankings, peaking at #16 during the season.
Team Challenges and Lessons Learned
While the team had numerous individual successes, it also had to navigate significant challenges, particularly with lineup depth. The Bulls finished 1-3 in dual meets, largely due to forfeiting weight classes at 105, 110, 120, 125, and 170.
Injuries also played a role in limiting team output, notably with junior Aubrey Burkhardt (130 lbs), a multi-year contributor who had to miss time this season. Still, her past accolades—2022 Regional Champion and 2023 County Champ—remain part of the strong culture of the program.
Coach Baier is already thinking about how to address these issues. “Managing injuries is something we need to work on more next season,” he shared, emphasizing the importance of health, recovery, and sustainability in building a long-term successful program.
The Senior Story and Returner Excitement
Hereford’s senior class was light this year, with only one graduating athlete: Kentenette “Kennie” Fleming (155 lbs), a first-year wrestler who balanced her time with band and theater. She contributed two wins to the team and provided a unique presence in a program dominated by underclassmen.
The silver lining? Everyone else is returning.
That’s right—nearly the entire roster, including all podium finishers, will be back next year. That continuity is a massive advantage and gives the Bulls the ability to grow together, both on and off the mat.
Coach Baier put it best: “I'm excited to see the girls continue to improve, both on the mat and as people… gaining confidence for life’s tough situations.”
Looking Ahead: Growth, Community, and Grit
There’s plenty of excitement around the future of Hereford Girls Wrestling. The coaching staff is encouraging athletes to take part in the Zone Wrestling Club, run by Josh Asper, a four-time Maryland State Champion and two-time NCAA All-American who also serves as Hereford’s boys' head coach. Access to that level of coaching and competition could be a game-changer.
The team is also doubling down on growth through recruitment. “Our slogan will be ‘Bring a Friend to Tryouts’ again next year,” Baier said, emphasizing the importance of growing the program from within the school community.
Final Word: Building Something Bigger Than Wins
While the Hereford Girls Wrestling team had plenty of success this year—podium finishes, state qualifiers, thrilling duals—perhaps the most important win was cultural. This is a team full of young, determined athletes who are learning to wrestle, to compete, and to believe in themselves.
They’re building something bigger than records—they’re building confidence, toughness, and character.
And as for the scoreboard? Well, the wins are already stacking up—and more are on the way.
For match results and updates, check out Hereford Wrestling on social media or follow local rankings and recaps online. The Bulls are just getting started.)
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