Representing Westhampton Beach, Barnabee Goes 2-2 at Inaugural Girls Wrestling State Championships

Juliet Barnabee, a junior at Westhampton Beach High School and resident of East Quogue, represented the Hurricanes at the inaugural New York State Girls Wrestling Championships over the weekend, going 2-2 in the one-day tournament held at the SRC Arena in Syracuse.

Competing in the 114-pound weight class, Barnabee started the tournament with a win, pinning Riley Butler of West Gennessee in 5:01, before losing in the second round to eventual champion Yianna Foufas of Mepham, getting pinned in 1:53. She won her first wrestleback match in a 7-6 decision over Ophelia Rosenthal-Vince of Ward Melville, before losing in a 5-0 decision to Cailan Drake of Shaker High School. Drake went on to finish fifth.

Barnabee’s final loss came in what is known as the “blood round,” where a victory assures competitors a top-six finish and a spot on the podium.

Barnabee admitted she was disappointed she did not end up on that podium, but said the overall experience of competing at states was great, and that she’s excited to get back there next year.

“It was a really well-organized tournament,” she said. “They did a good job of setting everything up. I was really happy to be the first woman from our school to go there.”

While Barnabee began competing in wrestling when she was a fifth-grader at East Quogue School, through the Westhampton Youth Wrestling program, this season was a comeback of sorts for her. She’s getting back on track after the pandemic and subsequent back surgery limited her time on the mat during her freshman and sophomore seasons. She had only been back in action for three months when she headed to states.

Looking back on her trip to states and a season competing as the only girl on the Westhampton Beach boys wrestling team, Barnabee said she realized she has a lot to be proud of and thankful for.

“I was disappointed in my finish [at states], but the way the community responded, I really did feel a lot of love,” she said. “I was really grateful for that.”

DeTore said he was proud of Barnabee’s efforts, and said it gave her something she can build on for next year.

“I really believe this tournament gave her experience and confidence that can’t be bought,” he said. “She now has an understanding of where she is and where she can go, as long as she stays consistent in the offseason.”

DeTore added that the tournament was crucial not only for Barnabee, but for every girl who competed, and for the future of the sport. He pointed out that, according to FloWrestling, girls high school wrestling nationwide has increased from 16,562 competitors in 2018 to 35,653 in 2022, and up to 53,406 in 2023.

“The sport is exploding,” he said. “I couldn’t be happier for the girls of today and for the girls of tomorrow. There are so many tremendous things that come from this sport outside of competition, which is really the best part.

“This past weekend was a very special experience, not just for Juliet, but for all the girls who competed and also for the girls who wish to compete at the state tournament in the future,” DeTore added. “It is truly a milestone for the great sport of wrestling. Having the state put this tournament together has without a doubt inspired generations to come. There may be girls out there who want to wrestle but may not want to wrestle with the boys. There may also be girls out there who want to wrestle, but their families may not want them to be involved with mixed competition. This tournament provided the girls with the reality that this sport can take them to the highest of levels in high school and on to college.”