Taravella’s Bryan, Douglas’ Mourad are the Broward Girls’ Wrestlers of the Year
Taravella junior Arheanna Bryan and Stoneman Douglas freshman Zeinab Mourad each finished as state runner-ups and lost only one match during this past wrestling season.
Their accomplishments topped all other individual performances among Broward County girls’ wrestlers to earn them the Miami Herald’s Girls’ Wrestling Co-Wrestler of the Year honors.
Bryan, who went 30-1 during the season, knows she wants her future to involve wrestling in some form.
But she also wants to study to become a chiropractor or an anesthesiologist.
The way Bryan dominated the competition, her opponents often might have needed both after facing her on the mat.
“All of my practice partners are boys so I have no choice but to be strong,” Bryan said. “I just think it would be funny if I beat them and after I could give them my card and offer to help fix them up. Maybe even give them a discount.”
Bryan won numerous events this season, and most recently earned All-American status after finishing sixth last week at nationals. Bryan hopes to build off that next season and hopefully win state and national titles.
She credited a new coaching staff at Taravella this season, composed of head coach Michael Bazos and assistants Stephane Villard, Claude Villard and Devin Przchodny for her rapid improvement.
“I got a lot farther than I thought I would. It was a great season overall,” Bryan said. “Last year, all I knew was how to throw people. This season, I developed and learned more about how to wrestle.
“It helped a lot to train with the boys because if I can take down a boy who weighs about 285 pounds, throwing someone who’s 190 shouldn’t be too hard.”
Mourad went 25-1 during her season despite dealing with multiple injuries. She also won district, BCAA and regional titles on her way to state. She is a five-time national champion in judo and is planning on competing at Fargo Nationals this summer in North Dakota.
Mourad, who is competing in track and field for Douglas as a shot put and discus thrower this spring, is part of a young core of wrestlers that are looking to continue a growing tradition for the Eagles, who finished a Broward-best 17th at state this season.
