SV youth Skowronski claims Pa. junior high girls wrestling title
JACKSON TWP — Don’t call Seneca Valley seventh-grader Mimi Skowronski the next big thing in Raider wrestling.
She’s made some huge accomplishments already.
Two years ago, she placed second in the youth sate tournament. Last year, she missed the state tourney due to an elbow injury. Mimi recently became the first girl in Seneca Valley history to win a state wrestling title, claiming the 112-pound title at the Pennsylvania Junior Wrestling Tournament.
“None of my matches were all that close,” Mimi said. “I gave up two total points (in five matches) and they were strategic stalling points.
“I felt I was ready to win a state title last year before I got hurt. I was undefeated, then injured my elbow two weeks before the state tournament. I was locked in this season.”
Mimi finished 18-8 overall this season — wrestling primarily against boys — including the state competition.
“Her work ethic is off the charts,” said Kevin Holman, one of her coaches. “There was never much doubt she’d wind up at the top of the podium.
“This girl does 250 pushups and pullups before most seventh and eighth-grade kids even get up in the morning.”
Mike Conlon, one of Mimi’s other coaches, agreed.
“Every inch of Mimi is about wrestling,” Conlon said. “Sometimes you have to push wrestlers to work harder. With Mimi, we have top hold her back at times, keep her from working too hard.
“She wants to keep going all the time. Her commitment to the sport is unbelievable.”
Mimi was named to the PA 14U National Dual team last year and hopes to be named to that roster again this season. She is already working on freestyle and Greco wrestling in getting ready for spring and summer competition.
Besides wrestling, Mimi plays wide receiver and cornerback in youth football.
“My football coach is the one who suggested I try wrestling,” Mimi, 13, said. “I was 8 years old at the time. He thought competing in that sport would help me as a football player.
“Once I tried wrestling, I loved it. I haven’t given up football yet, but eventually I’ll just be doing wrestling.”
And she’ll keep getting better at it.
“Mimi is physically strong, but she’s big on fundamentals, too,” Holman said. “She’s learning more moves all the time and she’s figuring out which ones work at what times.”
Once Seneca Valley wrestling practice is over, Mimi heads to Young Guns, a wrestling club in Pittsburgh, to continue working on her craft.
“That’s the best club out there,” Holman said. “Mimi has big plans. All she wants to do is win.”
Mimi plans to continue wrestling against boys during the regular season. She will join the Raiders’ varsity girls team as a freshman.
“The boys are stronger. That just makes me work that much harder,” she said.
Conlon said Mimi’s work ethic inspires him.
“We’re lucky to have the chance to coach her,” he said. “As a coach, she inspires is to work harder. Her dedication to wrestling shows in her performance.
“Mimi’s toughness and emotional strength are unbelievable. Her character as a person, how humble she is and the humility she shows on and off the mat ... She is just a pleasure to be around.”
