Pine Bush senior Brooke Tarshis is coming home with some more hardware, after earning third place last Friday at the NYSPHSAA girls’ wrestling invitational.

The 120-pounder began her day on Jan. 26 with a second-period pin over Georgia Zorich (Sweet Home). She then advanced to the semifinals with a first-period pin over McKella Hodkin (Fredonia).
Tarshis, who placed second at the event last year, was looking to get to the top of the podium this time around. However, that goal was derailed after dropping an 11-2 major decision to ultimate champion Yianna Foufas (Mepham) in the semifinals.

Tarshis then found herself in the consolation semifinals, trailing 6-2 to RaeAnn Craft (Owego).

The Pine Bush senior never counted herself out, as she was able to turn the tables and secure a pin over Craft.

“I didn’t want to rush myself,” Tarshis said. “ I took my time and ended up sticking her to her back, just randomly. I don’t really know how I did it, but I did it.”

The win propelled Tarshis into the third place match of the 120-pound bracket, where she was up against a familiar foe - Seaford’s Ashley Diaz.

Last season, when Tarshis came in second place at the NYSPHSAA invitational, she was pinned by Diaz in the championship match.

However, on Jan. 12 at the Eastern States Girls’ Classic, Tarshis got some payback with a 4-0 decision over Diaz.

The two met one final time last Friday, in a rubber match, and it was also close a match.

After the first period, Tarshis and Diaz were tied 2-2. The score remained that way until there were nine seconds remaining in the third period, when Tarshis was able to secure a takedown.

“At first I didn’t realize how much time was on the clock,” Tarshis said, “but she stood up at a perfect time, so I took the double and went for it.”

From there, Tarshis had to ride out the final seconds, preserving a 4-2 decision to clinch third place.

“I lost to her in the finals last year, so it feels pretty good,” Tarshis said of beating Diaz. “It felt amazing, since last year I wasn’t able to get those last points. It just feels good to be able to do it.

Tarshis’ season isn’t over just yet, as she plans on competing at the upcoming Section 9 boys’ tournament.

“I wrestled in it during my eighth grade year and was out after the first round,” Tarshis recalled. “Then COVID happened and they had a girls bracket, which I won the last two years. This year I feel confident enough that I can make it on the podium, so that’s going to be my goal.”