Hazleton Area wins D2 girls wrestling team title, crowns 2 champions

Hazleton Area captures team championship, Evelyn Sheer and Shaniece Brown win individual titles

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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The Hazleton Area girls wrestling team captured the District 2 Class 2A team championship, scoring 165.5 points to edge out Delaware Valley by 13.5 points. The Cougars crowned two individual champions, with Evelyn Sheer winning the heavyweight title and Shaniece Brown taking the 130-pound crown. Nanticoke Area's Emily Kivler and Crestwood's Rachel Shoemaker also defended their district titles.

Why it matters

The District 2 girls wrestling tournament is a key qualifier for the regional and state tournaments, with the top finishers advancing to the next level of competition. Hazleton Area's team title and individual champions highlight the strength of the program, while other standout performances from wrestlers across the Wyoming Valley Conference showcase the growth of girls wrestling in the region.

The details

Hazleton Area freshman Evelyn Sheer dominated her heavyweight final match, racking up 24 points before pinning Crestwood's Samara Bailey in the third period. Sheer's Hazleton Area teammate Shaniece Brown also won her 130-pound final, recording a first-period fall over Wilkes-Barre Area's Jacqueline Hernandez. Nanticoke Area's Emily Kivler and Crestwood's Rachel Shoemaker defended their district titles at 112 and 118 pounds, respectively. Wyoming Area freshman Martyna Bonning (148 pounds) and Wilkes-Barre Area freshman Avah Jobarteh (190 pounds) also won individual championships.

  • The District 2 Class 2A girls wrestling tournament took place on Saturday, February 21, 2026.
  • The regional tournament will be held next weekend in Milton.

The players

Evelyn Sheer

A freshman heavyweight wrestler for Hazleton Area who won the district championship.

Shaniece Brown

A Hazleton Area wrestler who won the 130-pound district title, her third victory over Wilkes-Barre Area's Jacqueline Hernandez this season.

Emily Kivler

A Nanticoke Area wrestler who defended her 112-pound district championship, recording four falls in the tournament.

Rachel Shoemaker

A Crestwood wrestler who defended her 118-pound district title.

Martyna Bonning

A Wyoming Area freshman who won the 148-pound district championship.

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What they’re saying

“There were a lot of nerves coming into the tournament, but once the referee blows the whistle, it's all about focusing on wrestling and the nerves just float away.”

— Evelyn Sheer, Hazleton Area freshman heavyweight (citizensvoice.com)

“I am proud of myself. Each year, for some reason, I always seem to come up a little short. I think, today, this shows that my hard work is paying off.”

— Shaniece Brown, Hazleton Area wrestler (citizensvoice.com)

“Nothing is every going to be perfect every time, but in order to win, I believe that you have to have a good mentality. You have to keep that mentality all year.”

— Emily Kivler, Nanticoke Area wrestler (citizensvoice.com)

“It's built-up anger. To be honest, I didn't think I was going to win the tournament. At times, the confidence isn't always there for me. But I thank God, and I thank everyone that has supported me.”

— Avah Jobarteh, Wilkes-Barre Area freshman (citizensvoice.com)

“I worked really hard. I am just really happy for myself. When I saw that Maddy left and moved to that other bracket, I knew that I had the chance to win a gold medal.”

— Martyna Bonning, Wyoming Area freshman (citizensvoice.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This District 2 girls wrestling tournament showcased the continued growth and success of the sport in the Wyoming Valley Conference, with Hazleton Area's team title and multiple individual champions highlighting the strength of the program. The performances of wrestlers like Emily Kivler, Martyna Bonning, and Avah Jobarteh also demonstrate the promising future of girls wrestling in the region.