Save Sachem Girls Wrestling — Bring the Regional Team Home to Sachem
Not long ago, the wrestling mats at Sachem North echoed with pride, determination, and unity. For the girls of Sachem North and Sachem East, wrestling wasn’t just a sport — it was a source of empowerment, confidence, and community.

But now, that’s been taken away.

The Sachem School District has cut the Girls Wrestling Program due to “funding” issues, forcing 22 young athletes to travel to a regional team in East Islip for practice from 4:30–6:30 PM — with no district transportation provided. Already, five girls have quit, and several others are questioning if they can continue due to the long commute, time strain, and financial burden.

These are not just numbers — these are driven young women who have proudly represented Sachem at the highest levels.
Arianna Margarita Maria, a 1-time All-American, 3-time County Place Winner, County Champion, and international medalist at the Copa Sparta in San Juan, Puerto Rico, is one of them.
The Cardona sisters — Alicia, Ariela, and Alyana — have trained for years with incredible dedication. Alicia Cardona, a County Place Winner and multiple tournament champion, now faces the heartbreak of no longer being able to compete under the Sachem banner she’s worked so hard to honor.

This decision doesn’t just impact their present — it affects their future.
Girls’ wrestling is now officially recognized as a Division I college sport, and many Sachem athletes are already being scouted by colleges because of their talent and achievements. By taking away their local program, the district is taking away potential college scholarships and athletic opportunities that could shape their lives.

And yet, the solution is right here in our own backyard.
Coach Jasen Batista of Forge Wrestling has offered to coach the team for free, alongside Angel Cardona, with several others ready to assist. Sachem already has multiple facilities — including the high schools and middle schools — where practices could be held.
All that’s needed is a mat and the district’s support to create a Sachem-based regional team.

Don’t give these girls hope only to send them away. Making them travel to a distant school is the same as offering them nothing.

At a time when girls’ wrestling is one of the fastest-growing sports in America (up more than 27% in recent years, according to the NFHS), Sachem should be leading the movement, not stepping back.

We, the undersigned, call on the Sachem North School District to:

Create a Regional Girls Wrestling Team based at Sachem, allowing athletes from both North and East to train locally.
Provide district-funded transportation if practices must remain in East Islip.
These athletes have poured their hearts into representing Sachem with pride, passion, and perseverance. Let’s make sure they still can.

Please sign this petition to help bring the girls’ wrestling program home to Sachem, restore their pride, and protect the dreams and college futures of these talented young women.