Now 3-time champs, Gabriella Conte and Ella Poalillo forever linked
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ATLANTIC CITY - Ella Poalillo and Gabriella Conte go to different schools in opposite directions, and compete in different weight classes.
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But the one thing the high school juniors share in common is that they’re now both three-time state champions.
Poalillo of High Point and Conte of Hanover Park each claimed a third straight state title on March 14 at Boardwalk Hall. Conte won the 107-pound crown and Poalillo won at 152 pounds.
They became the sixth and seventh girls to win three NJSIAA titles, joining Princeton’s Chloe Ayres, Manalapan’s Jess Johnson, Monroe‑Old Bridge’s Gabriella Miller and DePaul senior Olivia Georges, who also accomplished the feat earlier in the day on March 14.
The only four‑time winner remains Bloomfield’s Kira Pipkins. Will Conte or Poalillo take a shot at joining her next year?
“This is what I trained for all season. It’s the main event so I’m glad to get it done,” Conte said. “It’s great coming into high school and going three-for-three so far. And of course, my goal next year is to win a fourth one.”
Conte, the top seed and heavy favorite, capped off a 32-1 campaign. She dominated over the three days and four matches, giving up just three points on two pins, a technical fall and a major decision.
In the championship match against Adrianna DiGregorio of Williamstown, she put on a scoring clinic in a 14-2 win.
Three and out for Ella Poalillo
For Poalillo (36-0), the third title was the 100th win of her career.
The Wantage resident became the third Wildcat to capture three state titles, joining former High Point greats Brian Soldano (2020-22) and Nick Francavilla (2009-11).
“It feels really nice to be surrounded by my friends and family. When it all comes together, my last two years have been exciting,” said Poalillo, who hasn’t lost a match since her freshman year. “I’ve been through this before and I’m looking to go on to bigger things.”
Poalillo dominated over the three days, winning all four matches by fall. She pinned Fatina Lozier of Pennsauken in the championship bout in 2:33.
Poalillo’s future wrestling on the high school level is uncertain. She’s considering foregoing her senior year at High Point to homeschool to focus on college. She's consulting with her family, coach John Gardner, private coach Francavilla and former Blair Academy standout and Frelinghuysen native Skylar Grote.
“I don’t think I’m going to wrestle next year in high school. I’m going to focus on freestyle and work to get better going into college," she said. "I want to wrestle in college opens and everything. It’s really nice to be here, but I’m looking forward to bigger things. I think this is probably it.”
This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: Gabriella Conte and Ella Poalillo forever linked as 3-time champs