SCMAT Exclusive Wrestling Article 3-8-21

International Women's Day 2021 - Monday, March 8 ...

... celebrating Zao Estrada of Hilton Head

Zao Estrada of Hilton Head

Zao Estrada (Hilton Head) on her way to a State Tournament round 1 win

Zao Estrada (Hilton Head) on her way to a State Tournament round 1 win

Zao Estrada (Hilton Head) on her way to a State Tournament 3rd place win

Zao Estrada (Hilton Head) a State Tournament 3rd place finish

With Monday March 8 being International Women's Day 2021, SCMAT would like to celebrate the accomplishment of Zao Estrada of Hilton Head on Saturday.

Zao Estrada (Hilton Head wrestling) made SC wrestling history becoming the first girl to ever win a match as well as Medal at the SCHSL State Wrestling Tournament! Estrada was 2-1 on Saturday and placed 3rd in 4A State at 106 lbs., congratulations Zao!

Zao is a freshman at Hilton Head High School and she has quickly become a statewide role model for other young women wrestlers. She wrestled in Colorado and California prior to her family moving to SC. Zao's dad, Jeffery, wrestled in Illinois during high school and also wrestled in college.

To further celebrate her contributions to the team, Estrada's wrestling partner in practice, James Levy of Hilton Head, became a state champion at 113 lbs.

Zao is currently nationally ranked in Girls High School Rankings by National Wrestling Hall of Fame, USA Wrestling and FloWrestling.

Is there a way to top all this? ... Yes! ... Zao Estrada had 2 pins at the 2021 SCHSL State Tournament, placing her in a tie for most pins and 7th overall with total lowest pin time. 31 wrestlers (all classes) had 2 pins at the 2021 State Tournament and here are the Top 10:

South Carolina has had many succesful girls in wrestling through the years and Zao can add her name to this list ... these are just a few from the SCMAT recordbooks:
Brieana Delgado (Hillcrest, Oklahoma City University)
Brittany Delgado (Hillcrest, Oklahoma City University)
Tamika Jones (Ridge View, Yakima Valley Community College)
Genesis Patterson (Dutch Fork)
Briana Jordan (Hartsville, Emmanuel College)
Nikki Weidman (Liberty, Life University) - first SC girl wrestler in a State Duals Finals match (2013 and 2014)
Latrell Brewer (Whitmire) - first SC girl wrestler to qualify for the SCHSL State Wrestling Tournament - (2019 106 SQ - 2A-1A)
Elisha Thaxton (West-Oak) - SC's 2020 Tricia Saunders High School Award winner as awarded by The National Wrestling Hall of Fame
Dasia Yearby (Christ Church) - currently nationally ranked in Girls High School Rankings
April Kelly (Woodmont) - currently nationally ranked in Girls High School Rankings

If SCMAT is missing any names of girls that were prior SCHSL State qualifiers, or names to consider adding to the list above, please email scmat@hotmail.com

Congratulations again, Zao Estrada and Hilton Head wrestling, on making SC wrestling history and a moment to celebrate International Women's Day 2021!

These historical articles at SCMAT will hopefully provide accurate facts though we may always have missed some data at some point. If you notice a correction, addition or just want to comment please send a reply to scmat@hotmail.com

thanks,

Mark Buford