Cara Furchner

As just a freshman, Neve O’Byrne has already claimed a Pennsylvania state title in female wrestling. O’Byrne is more than a skilled wrestler, she's a fierce and dedicated competitor whose passion for wrestling shows true through her success. 

Starting wrestling at six years old, it's no surprise O’Byrne won the PIAA Girls Wrestling State Championship her freshman year, taking Garnet Valley's first-ever State Championship title. 

Though she can’t lose now, O’Byrne explains in an interview with CBS that she didn’t start at the top, but instead worked her way up. Her hard work extends beyond the wrestling mats to the gym, where she runs and lifts weights whenever she can. O’Byrne states the “technique and violence” she has found in the sport of wrestling has pushed her to become the talented and dedicated athlete she is today. 

Nicknamed “the Hellcat” by her coach and teammates, O’Byrne has been a beast on the mats all season. Garnet Valley’s wrestling coach explains her dedication has driven her from just placing at tournaments at the beginning of the season, to winning tournaments, and finally, her State Championship title. 

O'Byrne not only holds a state title, but has also made history as Delco's first-ever PIAA girls' wrestling champion. She is the 11th wrestler in all of Delco (males and females) to win a PIAA State Championship title. The last Declo winner (male) who took the title won back in 2020. 

It is obvious Neve O’Byrne’s dedication will drive her far during her high school wrestling career at Garnet Valley. With three years left, she is sure to gain more than her now-held State title.  O’Byrne’s fierce and competitive personality has taken her so far as just a freshman, it is unimaginable to think about the success she will achieve in the future.