Female Athlete of the Week: Staisy Martinez Severino (Week Ending March 3, 2024)

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Staisy Martinez Severino

When Lebanon School District approved a Girls Wrestling program to become the 70th in Pennsylvania, there were five existing team members ready to lead the Cedars into the inaugural season of girls wrestling as a PIAA-sanctioned sport. Among the five was Staisy Martinez Severino, who stepped up as a leader, helping the program to grow to fourteen members this season. At the South Central Regional Championships, the senior was rewarded for her hard work as she completed her high school wrestling career with a 5th-place finish in the 130-pound weight class, finishing just one place shy of qualifying for States. The LebCoSports.com voters took note and voted Martinez Severino as the LebCo Female Athlete of the Week.

Martinez Severino began wrestling as a junior, juggling commitments to Indoor Track & Field and Cheerleading. This season, she turned her attention solely to wrestling, which aided her in finding more success. She finished her senior season with a 30-8 record and led the team with 24 pins. Her wins included a win at the Juniata Tournament from where she is pictured below celebrating with her teammates (front middle).

Martinez Severino was a true leader for the Cedars, serving as a team captain alongside Perla Chavez. Coach Vaughn Black praised his captain for the leadership she provided, stating, “Staisy leads the team by example and does a great job of encouraging and motivating her teammates regardless of wins and losses.”

Black also spoke of the sacrifices that Martinez Severino made to help her teammates, telling LebCoSports.com, “Staisy volunteered to bump up to compete at 136-pounds during different parts of the season to ensure one of her freshman teammates got mat time.”

When asked about what wrestling brought her, Martinez Severino reflected on the experience by saying, “I met some amazing athletes that inspire me to work harder and keep improving.”

She identified the most significant lesson she learned from the experience as “Knowing how to act once you lose and learn from it.”

Wrestling is not Martinez Severino’s only sport; it is not the only area where she works on developing her leadership skills. In terms of athletics, she has been a member of the Lebanon Cheerleading, Field Hockey, and Track & Field teams. She also serves as one of the school’s Cedar Leaders and is active in JROTC. In her “spare time,” Martinez Severino actively works as a volunteer in the youth wrestling program. When she does get a chance to unwind, she has a passion for cooking.

Once she graduates, Martinez Severino plans to go to college. In addition to her studies, she hopes to continue freestyle wrestling. In terms of a career path, she wants to be a psychologist and someday start her own business.

While her season may be over, it will be interesting to watch the career trajectory of such a determined young woman. We wish Staisy all the best as she finishes out her senior year and begins the next phase of her life.

One final note, Martinez Severino was joined by freshman Isabella Poole Martinez in picking up a 5th place medal at the Regional Championships.

LebCo Male Athletes of the Week: Oliver Funck & Hunter Heinsey

For a full list of this week’s nominees, check out: Athlete of the Week Voting:  February 26 – March 3

Previous Winners

Kenzie Eckhart (Week of 12/4) 

Laci Lesher (Week of 12/4) 

Morgan Kline (Week of 12/11) 

Mya Doster (Week of 12/11) 

Kailah Correa (Holiday Weeks) 

Kylee Trostle (Holiday Weeks) – Finished 6th at the PIAA State Championship

Olive Brandt (Week of 1/8) 

Kasey Weimer (Week of 1/8) 

Qynne Demler (Week of 1/15)

Morgan Lantz (Week of 1/22)

Maddie Stout (Week of 1/22)

Kendall Cooper (Week of 1/29)

Miracle Hershey (Week of 1/29)

Riley Hatzfeld (Week of 2/5)

Makenna Haas (Week of 2/12)

Kaddel Howard (Week of 2/19) – Finished 4th in the 400m at the Nike Indoor Nationals

Hayley Sheroky (Week of 2/19)