CLIFTON PARK — As a wrestler owning international experience and someone who has been named a multi-time All-American before entering her freshman season, Shenendehowa standout Ava Guilmette did not find competing at the 21st Eastern States Classic to be a daunting task. She approached her task Saturday afternoon at the Impact Athletic Center in a businesslike manner and produced dominating results.
Guilmette, the No. 1 seed at 145 pounds in an event featuring competitors from several states, captured the championship as she pinned Shaker’s Kiara Richard at 1 minute, 16 seconds of the first period. The win by the freshman represented the only title secured by a Section II wrestler. Two other girls, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake/Ballston Spa senior Mia Collins (132) and Shaker senior Emily Dudar (185), both fell in the title match.
Guilmette, who won the 15-and-under title in April at the Pan Am Games and has six national titles to her credit, won her second straight tournament this season with her victory over Richard. Asked how it felt to prevail at Eastern States, Guilmette exulted, “amazing.”…