CURWENSVILLE — The Curwensville girls wrestling program has gone from having just six girls on the varsity team during the 2022-23 year to nearly being able to put a full lineup on the mat this season.
The Lady Tide have 11 girls on the roster, meaning they should be able to fill all but two of the spots once everyone is healthy.
Five of the 11 are returning letterwinners (senior Emily Neeper, juniors Mati McCracken and Andria Moore and sophomores Carter Bressler and Kenlee Witherite). Junior Taylor Shirey also returns to the team.
The rest of the squad is made up of newcomers to the varsity level in sophomore Kendall Candelaria and freshmen McKenzie Astorino, Brylee London, Isabella Neff and Allison Neeper,
“We have five returning lettermen, led by senior Emily Neeper, a two-time regional qualifier who will anchor our veteran group,” said fourth-year head coach Michael Astorino. “We’re looking to lean on a talented incoming freshmen class with proven success at the junior high level. Brylee London was a seventh-place finisher in the 2025 PA Junior High State Tournament. McKenzie Astorino joins as the 2024 and 2025 PA Junior High State Champion.
“Together, this blend of seasoned upperclassmen and accomplished freshmen positions our team for an exciting season ahead. The addition of the Harmony School District co-op will bring valuable depth and competition to our wrestling room.”
While the influx of talented newcomers and a nice group of girls with varsity experience will give the Lady Tide balance, Curwensville is going to have to find a way to replace the program wins leader Tessa Queen.
“We need someone to step up and fill the void left by graduated senior Tessa Queen.” Astorino said. “Over the past two seasons, Tessa won 49 matches and was a two-time fifth-place finisher in the central regional, narrowly missing a trip to the state tournament in Hershey.”
McKenzie Astorino will compete at 100, while letterwinners Witherite, Moore, Bressler and McCracken will fill the spots at 112, 118, 124 and 130, respectively. A run of varsity newcomers follow with Neff (136), London (142), Candelaria (148) and Allison Neeper (170) handling the middle weights. Shirey and Neeper anchor the Lady Tide at 190 and 235.
Curwensville will not have a 106- or 155-pounder.
Once again, the Lady Tide will compete in a tournament-heavy schedule with a couple dual tournaments added this season, including the District 5-6-9 Duals, which the Lady Tide will host. There will also be a pair of dual meets late in the year,
“We have a challenging schedule ahead of us this season,” Astorino said. “The Powerade Tournament will bring in some of the best competition from across the country, and we’ve added two dual team tournaments at Central Mountain and Gettysburg.
“For us to find success, our girls will need to come together, support one another, and compete as a unified team.”
As for goals, Astorino is hoping the Lady Tide can attain a couple program firsts this season.
“Individual district champion and first state qualifier,” he said. “Over the past two official PIAA girls seasons, we have had three district runner-ups, and four girls lost in the blood round, just missing on a trip to Hershey.”
Jordan Astorino and Amber Neeper are assistant coaches for the Lady Tide, who begin their season Saturday at the Inter County Conference Tournament at Claysburg-Kimmel High School.
Roster
Senior
*Emily Neeper
Juniors
*Matilyn McCracken, *Andria Moore, Taylor Shirey.
Sophomores
*Carter Bressler, Kendall Candelaria, *Kenlee Witherite.
Freshmen
McKenzie Astorino, Brylee London, Allison Neeper, Isabella Neff,
*Letterwinners
LADY TIDE SCOREBOARD:
| 12/6 | @ ICC Tourney (Claysburg-Kimmel HS) |
| 12/13 | @ Gettysburg Duals |
| 12/21 | @ Central Mountain Duals |
| 12/27 & 28 | @ Powerade Tourney (Canon-Mac HS) |
| 1/3 | CURWENSVILLE TOURNEY |
| 1/10 | @ Mid-Winter Mayhem (IUP) |
| 1/24 | @ BEA Tourney |
| 1/31 | DISTRICT 5/6/9 DUALS |
| 2/4 | @ Redbank Valley |
| 2/10 | SOUTHERN HUNTINGDON |
| 2/21 | District 5/6/9 Championship (Johnstown) |
| 2/28 | Central Region (Milton) |
| 3/5 – 7 | PIAA State Tourney (Hershey) |
