NTL GIRLS' WRESTLING: TOWANDA'S MAYNARD SUFFERS TWO TOUGH LOSSES AT PIAA CHAMPIONSHIPS (2025-03-06)

BY CHRIS MANNING
Northern Tier Sports Report
HERSHEY — It was a tough day for Towanda’s Lillie Maynard at the PIAA Girls’ Wrestling Championships Thursday.

The senior lost two matches she was in, falling 5-2 to Souderton’s Holly McKinney in her opener, then losing by fall to Chambersburg’s Jessica Li in 2:39, a match she was winning 11-1 just before that.

“It’s not what she wanted,” said Towanda coach Brock Nichols. “It’s a tough tournament, she should be proud of herself. She’s still top 16 in the whole state, and that’s not an easy thing to do.”

In the opening match Maynard (106) went for a throw in the first period, and McKinney broke the grip, then took her down for a 3-0 lead. Maynard did get out to cut it to 3-1.

Maynard got another escape in the second to make it a 3-2. In the third McKinney got a penalty point, then scored an escape to go up 5-2. 

Maynard got in deep in a single leg, but couldn’t finish it.

In the match against Li Maynard used a mat return to take a 3-0 lead, followed by Li getting an escape for a 3-1 score after one.

Maynard went up big off a throw to Li’s back, going up by as much as 11-1. However, Maynard got hip tossed, as Li got the reversal, then pinned her for the win.

“I’m proud of her,” said Nichols. “I’m proud of what this girls’ program has done, and what she’s done to help those younger girls. She showed what you can accomplish when you come out here and wrestle.”

Despite the set back Nichols felt this was a good start for their first year program - one state qualifier, three regional qualifiers, and an 8-2 dual meet season.

“We’re going to keep building off that,” said Nichols. “Lillie being our first ever state qualifier for Towanda’s girls wrestling is a huge accomplishment - that’s what I told her after her second match there. What she’s done this year will never be forgotten. She showed the other girls that, if you work hard, and put the time in, you can accomplish great things.”

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PHOTOS BY CHRIS MANNING

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