1…2…3 and Ally wins! On December 16th, 2017, freshman Ally Fitzgerald became the first girl on Long Island to win a boys’ varsity wrestling tournament. At the South Side High School wrestling tournament, she beat 4 boys in her 99-pound weight class to pin her way to the finals. In her final match, she went against a high school senior and pinned him in three minutes and 11 seconds. “It was crazy!” exclaimed Fitzgerald, regarding the moments after her win. “It felt really good knowing I was the first girl to ever win a Long Island tournament and it’s really great to know I paved the way for other girls in the future and showing them, anything is possible with hard work and dedication. You can do anything you set your mind to.”

At the age of seven, Ally began to study the art of Jiu Jitsu. Her mother drove her to Budokan And Unity in Midtown, Manhattan, 7 days a week. SicChic Fitness Fight Wear eventually sponsored her for for Jiu Jitsu tournaments. Inspired by her younger brother, Liam, she joined Lynbrook wrestling and was trained by LAW Wrestling Academy in Garden City. Ally continued with Jiu Jitsu every day while balancing wrestling 3-4 days a week. “It was really hard at first to balance wrestling and Jiu Jitsu. I was passionate about both, so I made it work. After a while, I got a routine of which days I would wrestle and do Jiu Jitsu.” Said Ally Fitzgerald. Now, Ally competes on the varsity wrestling team and trains at Vougars Honors Wrestling (VHW) in Syosset. She is coached by Vougar Oroudjov, two-time world champion and Olympic medalist. She is also coached and inspired by Lynbrook varsity coach Rich Renz. Fitzgerald is still training and is focused on winning for Lynbrook and one day making onto the United States Olympic Team.

Jiu jitsu and wrestling were not he only things Fitzgerald had to balance in her life. Fitzgerald has worked hard to maintain a strong academic curriculum and a healthy social life. Fitzgerald’s teachers appreciate the effort she gives, and her friends adore her for being a good friend. As Ambiya Hussain said, “I have known Ally my whole life. It’s so inspiring to see her accomplish so much. I am proud of her and how hard she works for everything.” In what little free time she has, she focuses on her schoolwork and spends time with her friends and family.

When Ally steps onto the mat she is set to win. She sees another wrestler, regardless of age or gender and it becomes about beating her opponent. “I don’t seem intimidating, but when I wrestle, everyone is surprised by my technique and strength,” Fitzgerald explained. Any competitor or goal she sets does not threaten her. Having her friends, family, and teachers for support, she should be able to accomplish her goals and achieve great things. “It’s pretty remarkable what she has accomplished,” senior wrestler Joe Becker comments, “She’s a great wrestler as a freshman; I can only hope she gets better and keeps shocking people,” commented Becker.