North Penn Girls Wrestlers Make History at State Championships

Ella Maxwell and Godie Hart are the first girls from North Penn to compete at the PIAA State Wrestling Tournament.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Five years after girls wrestling was officially sanctioned as a high school sport in Pennsylvania, two trailblazers from North Penn High School, Ella Maxwell and Godie Hart, are making history by becoming the first girls wrestlers from the school to qualify for the PIAA State Championships. Maxwell, a senior, and Hart, a junior, have both put together standout seasons and will be representing North Penn at the prestigious tournament in Hershey this weekend.

Why it matters

The rise of girls wrestling at North Penn mirrors the growth of the sport across Pennsylvania. Just a few years ago, there was no girls wrestling team at the school, but now there are 20 girls on the roster. Maxwell and Hart's accomplishments show how far the program has come and serve as an inspiration for the next generation of female wrestlers at North Penn.

The details

Maxwell, the winningest girls wrestler in North Penn history, has compiled a 34-13 record this season and is ranked 3rd in her weight class in the District 1/12 rankings. Hart, a junior, has a 35-7 record and is also ranked 3rd in the District 1/12 rankings. Both wrestlers secured their spots at States with strong performances at the Southeast Regional tournament last week.

  • Five years ago, there was no girls wrestling team at North Penn High School.
  • Ella Maxwell joined the team as a freshman in 2022, becoming the first girl wrestler at the school.
  • This weekend, Maxwell and Hart will be the first girls wrestlers from North Penn to compete at the PIAA State Championships in Hershey.

The players

Ella Maxwell

A senior at North Penn High School and the winningest girls wrestler in school history with a 92-54 career record. She is the first girl wrestler from North Penn to qualify for the PIAA State Championships.

Godie Hart

A junior at North Penn High School who has compiled an 82-27 career record. She is also the first girl wrestler from North Penn to qualify for the PIAA State Championships.

North Penn High School

A public high school located in Lansdale, Pennsylvania that has seen its girls wrestling program grow from just two participants to 20 in the span of a few years.

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What they’re saying

“To me it shows how much can change over just a few years, we went from only 2 girls on the team to now having 20 and it's great to see how much we've grown.”

— Ella Maxwell, North Penn Senior (knightcrier.org)

“I just focus on doing everything I can to prepare, put my trust in God, and leave the outcome in His hands.”

— Godie Hart, North Penn Junior (knightcrier.org)

What’s next

Maxwell and Hart will both compete in the first round of the PIAA State Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 8th at 2 PM in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

The takeaway

The success of Maxwell and Hart at North Penn highlights the rapid growth of girls wrestling in Pennsylvania and serves as an inspiration for young female athletes who are looking to break new ground in traditionally male-dominated sports. Their historic accomplishments demonstrate that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible.