East Brunswick Girls Wrestling Makes History in 2025: A Breakout Season of Leadership, Grit, and Rising Stars
The 2025 winter season was nothing short of historic for East Brunswick High School’s girls wrestling team, as they shattered expectations, earned hardware, and laid the foundation for a promising future. Under the leadership of Head Coach Rachel Daddio, the Bears emerged not just as competitors but as contenders, establishing themselves as one of New Jersey’s top programs in only their first year in a dedicated girls division.
With standout individual performances, resilient team spirit, and a culture built around accountability and mutual support, East Brunswick’s 2025 campaign will be remembered as a pivotal turning point in the team’s trajectory.
A Team Built on Leaders, Not Just Wrestlers
One of the defining themes of this season was leadership, both on and off the mat. Even among those sidelined by injury, players rose to the occasion, keeping morale high and the team focused on collective goals.
Take Arielle Holeman, for example. Despite not being able to compete for most of the season, she exemplified what it means to be a team captain. Her perfect attendance, commitment to leading warm-ups at every practice and match, and role as a motivator proved invaluable.
“She was a great captain,” Coach Daddio said. “She ran warm-ups, showed up every day, and was a key motivator for the team.”
Then there was Olivia Mitchell, the team’s most outstanding wrestler. A fierce competitor, Mitchell routinely earned bonus points in dual meets and stood out as a role model for the rest of the squad. Her state tournament journey, where she finished 8th in the state, was especially impressive given that she had to medically forfeit out of the bracket.
Arianna DeMaio, a three-sport varsity athlete, showed no fear in stepping up, often wrestling up a weight class to challenge tougher opponents and secure better matchups for the team. Her toughness and adaptability made her a cornerstone of East Brunswick’s lineup.
And Marisol Torra may have embodied the team-first mentality better than anyone. She bumped up in weight almost the entire season, sometimes giving up as much as 20 pounds, just to fill gaps in the lineup. Despite these challenges, she not only endured but also earned 3rd place in the conference tournament, proving her resilience and leadership.
Making History, One Match at a Time
The 2025 season will go down in the record books for East Brunswick’s girls wrestling team. Not only did they clinch co-division championship honors in their first year in the newly formed girls division, but they also placed 2nd overall in the conference tournament, with 12 individual placers contributing to that finish.
“I think we had a great season,” said Daddio. “Our only conference loss was our first dual meet against North Brunswick. With our win over Old Bridge, we were able to be named co-division champs.”
But it didn’t stop there. The Bears made their mark in the first-ever girls' state dual tournament, winning a match and finishing in the top 10 in the entire state.
One of the season’s most defining victories came in their match against Vernon, a perennial powerhouse ranked among the state’s top teams. Just days before their matchup, Vernon had taken down #2-ranked Newton, setting the stage for a tough battle. But East Brunswick was ready.
“The team rallied and wrestled tough,” Daddio said. “We ended up beating Vernon 47-18. The momentum from each match carried over to the next.”
That kind of comprehensive team effort became a hallmark of East Brunswick’s season—a group of wrestlers who understood the importance of collective grit.
Rising Stars and Growing Confidence
As the season progressed, several wrestlers not only maintained their strong performances but grew into even larger roles. Coach Daddio pointed to Mitchell, DeMaio, and Torra as wrestlers who consistently elevated their game, both in skill and leadership.
With the team only graduating one starting wrestler, East Brunswick’s starting lineup remains almost fully intact heading into next season—a rare and powerful advantage in high school athletics.
“We’re coming back strong next year,” Daddio said. “We’re excited to continue to grow. We had almost 30 girls this year and hope to bring in a large freshman class.”
That growth reflects the increasing popularity and legitimacy of girls' wrestling in New Jersey, and East Brunswick is positioning itself at the forefront of that movement.
Resilience in the Face of Challenges
Injuries, tough losses, and lineup gaps are part of every wrestling season, but East Brunswick handled those obstacles with composure and creativity. Daddio credited her athletes for their trust in the coaching staff and support for one another, which allowed for strategic lineup shifts and a team-first mentality that helped the Bears win close duals.
“The girls were very supportive of each other,” she said. “They trusted the coaches, which enabled us to move the lineup around to achieve success.”
This emotional maturity and team-first mindset set the tone for a program that has learned how to win—and how to stick together when the path gets tough.
Preparing for an Even Bigger 2026
While the accomplishments of 2025 are impressive, Coach Daddio is already focused on the future. During the postseason wrap-up, each athlete was asked to write down their personal goals for next season—a practice designed to keep them accountable and motivated throughout the offseason.
“I hope they focus on their individual goals to achieve them,” Daddio said. “I’ll be offering opportunities to practice over the summer and sharing events where they can get more mat time.”
This offseason emphasis on technical improvement, conditioning, and increased match experience is crucial if East Brunswick hopes to move from top-10 status to state champion contenders.
Additionally, Daddio recognizes the importance of growing the program’s depth to stay competitive and sustain long-term success.
Where to Follow East Brunswick Wrestling
For those interested in following the team’s journey, stats and results for East Brunswick wrestlers can be found at highschoolsports.nj.com. Fans can keep track of individual rankings, team dual meet outcomes, and postseason tournament results.
Final Thoughts: A Program on the Rise
The 2025 season was more than just a series of wins and placements for East Brunswick girls wrestling—it was a statement. A statement that the Bears are no longer just building a program—they are already a force to be reckoned with across New Jersey.
With strong leadership, a roster full of returning talent, and a commitment to both individual and team growth, Coach Rachel Daddio and her athletes have set the stage for even greater success in 2026.
From beating state-ranked teams to developing a culture of resilience, East Brunswick is proving that girls wrestling isn’t just growing—it’s thriving. And the Bears are leading the charge.
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