This past season was a successful one for the members of the Dover Area High School wrestling team. One athlete, senior Jahzari Abney, stands out for her impressive podium placements and firsts at DAHS.
Abney’s performance has landed her the fifth spot in the 148-pound category of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association’s Girls wrestling rankings. Varsity wrestling coach Scott Shimmel commented on Abney’s commitment to wrestling in the 24-25 season and postseason: “Jahzari did put in extra work this season, especially during the postseason run. We had the challenge of keeping her in wrestling shape once the regular season ended and everyone else moved on to their spring sports. We were fortunate to have Dharma Cabot and Carter Hoffman come in a few practices to roll around with Jahzari after their seasons concluded. We also had the opportunity to travel to Northern High School and get a few practices in with their girls’ wrestling team.”
Abney ended the season with a record of 19-5. “All of Jahzari’s losses this season were to girls ranked in the top 10 in Pennsylvania,” said Shimmel.
Abney had several impressive placements at tournaments, both during and after the season. In every event she participated in, with the exception of one, Abney placed within the top three, the exception being her fifth place position at the Pennsylvania State Championship, taking place at the Hershey Giant Center. Shimmel said this about the event, “What impressed me most this season was getting on the podium at Hershey and becoming the first state place-winner in Dover girls’ wrestling history.”
Abney wants to continue wrestling after high school. “I plan to continue wrestling in college and during the times I’m not in high school to get better and more knowledgeable about the sport,” she said.
Belief in her skills and future career in collegiate wrestling is echoed by Shimmel: “Jahzari will go as far as Jahzari allows herself to go. She has all the tools to be a great collegiate wrestler at York College. I think her main obstacle will be the pace of college wrestling. College wrestling and High School wrestling are different animals. In college, every opponent you face is gonna be good and well-trained. If she puts the work in and is able to handle the transition to college wrestling, I have no doubt she’ll be successful.”
Abney had this to say regarding her success and those who supported her: “Apart from myself, I would attribute my success to my family, God, and my coaches. They are the main reason why I love this sport and why I’m still doing it to this day. I would say this is what I was meant to do, and I have a strong feeling I would do really good in this sport and hopefully get somewhere in life with it. I’d like to thank my family for accepting and supporting me in the sport I love. I’d like to thank God for sculpting my journey and putting me where I am today. Finally, I’d like to thank my coaches for helping me get to where I am today and helping me see my full potential, and helping me get better. They are the best coaches I could ever ask for. Thank you.”
