Perry Hall’s third-ranked senior Alaina Kopalchick scored a 26-second pin over 113-pound freshman rival Gram Knott for her 100th career victory during last weekend’s Friar Duals Tournament at Archbishop Curley.
Kopalchick also received career win No. 101 by forfeit from North County, raising her record on the year to 10-4, and 101-42 during nearly four seasons wrestling for the Gators.
A three-time state placewinner, Kopalchick became an all-girls’ state champion as a freshman, winning that crown by virtue of a 3-1 decision over Richard Montgomery senior Eliana Mazin.
“Of course, reaching 100 career wins is among every wrestler’s goals,” said Kopalchick, who has finished first, fifth and fourth at states. “I set my mind on doing that, and I was able to accomplish it. I worked very hard to get here, but there is much more work to be done.”
Kopalchick went 6-2 with three pins, including two others in 14 seconds over Bella Kim of the Charter School of Wilmington, Delaware, and in 45 seconds over Gabe Pittas of Dulaney.
Knott went 4-2 with a 17-1 technical fall over Kim for tournament winner Century, whose 8-0 record in the event included a 58-24 victory over the Gators. Perry Hall won five of eight dual meets to finish fourth.
"Alaina’s story is one of consistency, a four-year commitment to the grind, and the ability to keep on plugging away. Alaina has been a starter or a rotational starter on the co-ed team for all four years,”," said fourth-year Gators' coach Doug Yoakum. "She enters all boys’ tournaments with the team and is on our duals team. I believe that Alaina will win another 10 or 12 matches before engaging in the all-girls’ postseason tournaments to finish her career.”
Kopalchick credits Yoakum, a 1990 Perry Hall graduate and former Baltimore County champion and regional runner-up.
“It definitely helps that I have a very dedicated coach, a supportive team and a supportive family,” Kopalchick said. “This feels pretty amazing. I can’t wait to see what I can accomplish over the course of the rest of my senior year.”
Alaina Kopalchick of Perry Hall went 6-2
113 - Alaina Kopalchick (Perry Hall) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf
113 - Alaina Kopalchick (Perry Hall) over Gabe Pittas (Dulaney) Fall 0:45
113 - Evan Kaliakoudas (Archbishop Curley) over Alaina Kopalchick (Perry Hall) Fall 0:58
113 - Alaina Kopalchick (Perry Hall) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf
113 - Alaina Kopalchick (Perry Hall) over Gram Knott (Century) Fall 0:26
113 - Alaina Kopalchick (Perry Hall) over Bella Kim (Charter School of Wilmington) Fall 0:14
113 - Alaina Kopalchick (Perry Hall) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf
113 - Miles Molina (Baltimore Polytechnic) over Alaina Kopalchick (Perry Hall) TF 18-0
Final Team Standings
1. Century (8-0)
2. Wilmington Charter (7-1)
3. Archbishop Curley (6-2)
4. Perry Hall (5-3)
5. North County (3-5)
6. St. James (3-5)
7. Eastern Tech (1-7)
8. Dulaney (1-7)
9. Baltimore Polytechnic (1-7)
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