From left to right front: wrestlers Tristan Eckles, Makyah Newlun and Paige Cowan. From left to right back: Coaches Jeff Wright, Josh Coil and Jeremy Shaw. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt)

East Liverpool High School wrestlers Paige Cowan, Tristan Eckles and Makyah Newlun ring the victory bell during the celebration event. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt) (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt)

The students Makyah Newlun, Tristan Eckles and Paige Cowan rode through town Tuesday evening in a convertible Camaro escorted with a parade of fire trucks, ambulances, police cars and tow trucks all with lights and sirens going. The parade started at Papa John’s on St. Clair Avenue and continued to Westgate Middle School, through downtown before stopping at the clock tower where the students were recognized for their achievements.

Fire Trucks, ambulances and police cars from East Liverpool, Calcutta, Glenmoor, North Star, St. Clair and Liverpool Township along with tow trucks from Calcutta Towing and First-Class Towing took part in the parade.

Friends, family and members of the public turned out to show their support with chants of “Here we go Potters” and signs congratulating them.

Senior Makyah made history as the state’s first female wrestling champion while Junior Tristan placed seventh and freshman Paige finished eighth at the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) State Wrestling Championship.

Jennifer Savin, Makyah’s mother, said she tried to talk Makyah out of wrestling many years ago because she was worried, but she’s not worried anymore, and Makyah made it all the way and she is very proud of her. Her stepdad Eli said he was very proud of her, and she worked hard for it.

Kayla Duffield, Paige’s mother, said as a freshman Paige worked hard and put in a lot of effort, time and dedication to the sport, and she is a proud mom.

Adelynn Eckles, 11, Tristan’s brother and also a wrestler, said she was very proud of Tristan but though he could have done better than he did, but still thinks he did good. Adelynn also said as a wrestler she looks up to her brother and he is an awesome brother and wrestler who gives her tips on wrestling.

Tuesday was Tristan’s birthday, and he was treated to the whole crowd that had gathered for the event singing Happy Birthday to him.

Coach Jeremy Shaw told the wrestlers how very proud he was of them and that it was a great day to be Potter before turning it over to the students to speak.

For Makyah, this is the end of her high school wrestling career as she prepares to head off to college with plans to continue wrestling there, got emotional as she told her teammates she loved them and was going to miss them all. In addition to going to college, she enlisted with the National Guard.

“I’m just glad that I can pave the way for other girls coming up,” Makyah said on being the first female state wresting champion. “It feels good, I put in the work, and I hope that everybody else sees that and will follow in my footsteps and achieve what I did if not more.”

Tristan thanked the coaches and said without them he wouldn’t be there.

Paige said it was an amazing time and that she would do better next year.

“I will be number one next year,” Paige said.

Paige, who started wrestling three years ago, said she is confidant next year she will be number one and that she thought she could have done better this year, but is grateful to have gotten on the podium.

Makyah and Paige both had advice for young girls wanting to get into wrestling.

“Go for it. Anything is possible,” Makyah said. “When I started, I didn’t think I was going to get as far as I did and here I am. The hard work is definitely worth it.”

Paige also said to go for it. “The sport is just so new and so welcoming and there is amazing people in the sport and its an amazing sport for young women.”

Tristan said he feels that he did pretty good this year but also feels he could have done a lot better, but overall he had a great year and plans to achieve a lot more next year.

Shaw commented that it was an amazing season. The wrestlers from jr. high to the high school were an amazing group and they were a big family.

“It’s one of the hardest sports and to have them recognized for their hard work and what they have done is huge,” Shaw said. “I think they realize yet being this young, but when they look back, how much they did for this sport, with Makyah, Paige and the other girls coming up through.”

Shaw also noted that the sport grew “1,100 percent” since last year with the girls in the sport and these girls will inspire them and the next group of champions.

Coach Josh Coil said it was an amazing thing the three students did and the amount of work they put in was amazing.

“If this doesn’t make you believe in great things, I don’t know what will,” Coil said. “We look forward to what we can do.”

Coil believes this will help boost morale in the city.

“If this doesn’t bring pride back into this town, I don’t know what will,” Coil said. “It’s just amazing, this whole town comes together.”

East Liverpool Mayor Bobby Smith said the students victory brings up the spirits of everybody and will be an inspiration to many people.

Once the speeches were done the three athletes gathered around the victory bell to ring it and talk to the public who came out to support for them.