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PHOTO ESSAY: Holt High’s Olivia Root Takes on the Challenge at Ford Field
By TANYA GARCIA
Olivia Root has established herself as an elite high school wrestler representing Holt High School. She finished her career ranked No. 5 with All-State honors in the 125 weight-class at the Michigan High School Athletic Association State Championship held at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan.
Root made back-to-back appearances to the State Tournament. In 2024 she finished 1-2 in the 115 weight-class respectively.
In her senior campaign to win her last match at the State Championship held on March 1, 2025 Olivia secured the victory at Ford Field with her signature move the cradle against her opponent.
Leading up to the last match Root defeated her Libbi Jacobs, a freshman at Petoskey High carrying a No. 2 seed from Region 1 entering State. In her second match Root collided with Lola Barkby from Sturgis High, 23-2 entering their match. Root was defeated by Barkby who went on to finish in second place at the tournament.
After being knocked into the blood rounds by Barkby, Root went on to win her next two matches against Emme Delisle, 34-12, out of Brighton High entering their match. After securing her win against Delisle Root was pitted against Makayla Perdue-Daniels, 33-6, from Warmont High. Root’s victory over Makayla moved her up to the last round to compete for a chance at the third place match. Root was defeated by Serenity Hayes, 35-6, from Whitepress High the eventual fourth place medal recipient who lost to Dewitt High’s Jamie Cook in the next round for third and fourth place.
Olivia Root ended her senior season campaign with a record of 38-10, over Jenna Bradford (Decatur High School) 21-5, Freshman with a Fall of 3:45.
“My first match, I was so nervous. I got pinned in 20 seconds but it was so fun,” Root said about her very first wrestling match when she entered the sport.
“I have practice six days a week and then sometimes on Monday I have extra practices,” Root said about her training regiment for the State Tournament.
She said her proudest moment in wrestling is when she competed at Michigan High School Athletic Association State Championship at Ford Field.
Her advice for girls entering wrestling is, “Stick it out and keep learning,” Root said.
She said she will be attending Davenport University where she will join the softball team and study Media and Film Communications.
Olivia Root is seen waiting on the mat for her opponent to before her match. (Photo by Tanya Garcia)
Olivia Root is seen in the clinch against her opponent Libby Jacobs on the mat at Ford Field . (Photo by Tanya Garcia)
Olivia Root is seen making her take down against her opponent. (Photo by Tanya Garcia)
Olivia Root is seen positioning herself against her opponent. (Photo by Tanya Garcia)
Olivia Root is seen transitioning her wrestling move into scoring position. (Photo by Tanya Garcia)
Olivia Root is seen with her arm raised after wining her match on her way to earning All-State honors at the Girls Wrestling Championship held in Detroit at Ford Field. (Photo by Tanya Garcia)
Olivia Root is seen with her coaches immediately after finishing her match at the Michigan High School Athletic Association State Wrestling Championship. (Photo by Tanya Garcia)
Olivia Root is a senior at Holt High School is an All-State wrestler in the State of Michigan. This year she competed in the 125-pound weight class and finished No.5 in the state. (Photo by Tanya Garcia)
Olivia Root is seen walking into Ford Field with all the girl wrestlers for the opening ceremony of the event. (Photo by Tanya Garcia)
Olivia Root is seen with her family at Ford Field between matches enjoying the afternoon and watching the competition before her next match. (Photo by Tanya Garcia)
