BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
PHOTO CREDIT ELMORE COUNTY COMMISSION
Jade Eldridge joined the Wetumpka High School Wrestling Team in 2020, competing as the only girl on the team.
On Monday night the Elmore County Commission recognized Jade as the first-ever AHSAA Girls Wrestling Champion of 2021, after she competed recently with 75 other girls in 11 different weight classes. The event was held at Hoover High School January 23.
Eldridge began wrestling in 2010 and is a two-time New York State Freestyle Champion and a two-time New York Wrestling Association for Youth Champion among her accomplishments.
Jade wrestled in the championship in the 150-pound weight class against number 1 seed Akerah Artis, and won the title. She is also a member of the River Rats Wrestling Club of Wetumpka.
Jade is the daughter of Jason and Jillian. Siblings are Jenna and Juliana, who are passionate supporters of her wrestling endeavors.
The Commission approved a resolution in honor of Jade’s achievements as a wrestling champion and presented it to her and her family at their work session meeting Monday, Feb. 8.
“We have a unique opportunity to recognize Jade Aldridge. For several years there have been girls that participated in wrestling at the high school level in the state of Alabama. However, this year was the opportunity for the first ever AHSAA Girls Wrestling Championship which took place recently. Jade had the opportunity to compete there representing Wetumpka High School,” Chairman Troy Stubbs said.
“Last year about this time we recognized a few of our boys from Wetumpka High School who won individual state championships. I know Coach Anthony Byrd is in the back and we fully expect to be recognizing a few more this year for their state championships,” Stubbs added.
There are 13 state qualifiers from the Wetumpka Wrestling team this year representing almost every weight class.
“I think it is a testament to the commitment of our school system to student athletes,” Stubbs said. “And we are excited to have the privilege to recognize the first ever AHSAA girl’s wrestling champion in the 150-pound weight class, Miss Jade Eldridge.”
The Southeast Wrestling (SEWrestle) website released the third Alabama Wrestling Coaches Poll in January of this year. In that poll, the WHS wrestling team was listed as fourth in the Class 5A-6A classification for the entire state.
For an article from Central Alabama Scoreboard on Jade, see https://www.facebook.com/autaugaelmore/posts/5235213083163055
See the Commission’s Resolution in Jade’s honor below:
