Lady Riders Set the Bar High at the Inaugural Nassau County Girls Wrestling Championship Tournament
ROOSEVELT, NEW YORK (FEBRUARY 2026)—History has officially been made by the Roosevelt School District Lady Riders, who have stamped their place among Nassau County’s elite during a landmark season for the Varsity girls wrestling team.
As the District’s first official girls wrestling team, the Lady Riders rose to the moment and became one of only four teams countywide to compete for the Nassau County team title at the first-ever Nassau County Girls Wrestling Dual Meet Championships. The team finished among the top four teams in Nassau County and continued their remarkable postseason run with a top eight overall finish at the Nassau County Individual Women’s Wrestling Championships.
Leading the way was Jasmine Guerra, who delivered an exceptional performance to earn a top three finish and was named an All-County athlete for the second consecutive season. After dropping a close first-round match, Guerra battled through the championship wrestlebacks, posting a flawless 5-0 record to secure her place among the county’s best.
Sara Casasola finished fifth overall and capped her season as a two-time All-Conference athlete. Kelly Castro, Aveylin Avelino, and Dayana Sosa each placed in the top six in their respective weight classes and were also named All-Conference athletes. Additional key contributors throughout the season included Genesis Cabrera, Yamileth Portillo, Ayleen Pereira and Valerie Jaramillo, whose efforts were instrumental to the team’s success.
The Lady Riders officially clinched their spot in the Nassau County Championships with a standout performance at the Conference Dual Meet at Long Beach High School, finishing 3-1 with decisive victories over Locust Valley, Glen Cove and a major upset over Bethpage.
The historic roster includes Gianna Cruzado, Kelly Castro, Valerie Jaramillo, Jasmine Guerra, Jasmin Ramirez, Ayleen Pereira, Sara Casasola, Yamileth Portillo, Genesis Cabrera, Dayana Sosa, and Aveylin Avelino. Every athlete demonstrated extraordinary heart, toughness, and belief in one another, embodying the teamwork and grit that define champions.
The Roosevelt School District proudly congratulates Head Coach Ben Syers, Coach Jordan Gonzalez, Coach Chris Venezia, and Assistant Coach and Roosevelt alumna Kali White on an outstanding and trailblazing season.
“These young women didn’t just compete, they built something lasting,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Shawn Wightman. “As our first girls wrestling team, they have set a remarkable standard for Roosevelt athletics and laid a powerful foundation for future generations.”
The Roosevelt School District is incredibly proud of the Lady Riders’ achievements and looks forward to the continued growth and success of this historic program.
