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By Joe Whitfield
Sports Editor

LEESBURG — Sometimes big things come in small packages.

Lee County wrestler Delialah Betances — a 5-foot-4, 125 pound junior — is only a few days into the school year and she knows already she will miss some school days because of her passion. In October, she will embark on an international journey to Bahrain after being selected to join AAU Team USA World Team, a trip that comes with a price tag of over $3,000.

Betances’ wrestling journey began in the fourth grade when she watched her brother wrestle and decided to join him on the mat.

“Seeing my brother compete made me want to wrestle,” she said. “I was passionate about it then, and I’m still very passionate about it now.”

Her dedication and skill quickly led to success, and as a freshman, she made history by becoming the first wrestler, male or female, in Georgia to win a state championship in their freshman year. The GHSA sanctioned girls wrestling in 2018 and added 14 weight classes in 2022-23.

After becoming the first female to win a state championship as a freshman at Lee County, Betances moved to Florida to live with her father, Lenny Betances, and continued to excel, finishing as the state runner-up.

Now back in Lee County with her mother, Jacklyn Limardo, Betances has had a summer packed with competitions, including representing the Puerto Rico world team and winning a bronze medal at the Pan American Championships in the Dominican Republic.

More recently, she competed in the United States Marine Corps competition in Fargo, North Dakota, where she achieved an impressive 4-2 record in a bracket with 103 girls, part of a larger field of over 1,800 female wrestlers.

Betances’ rigorous training regimen includes practicing with the Lee County wrestling team under coach Chris Morton and traveling twice a week to the Storm Wrestling Center in Perry, Georgia, to train with coach Gerald Carr.

This dedication has also seen her become a two-time Southeast Regional Champion, clinching the title by defeating her best friend 14-4 in the final.

The rise of women’s wrestling, one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States, fuels Betances’ dreams of securing a college scholarship and ultimately becoming a world champion. Her journey is a testament to the increasing opportunities and recognition for female athletes. As she prepares for Bahrain, Betances continues to inspire and pave the way for future generations of female wrestlers.

With the support of sponsors, she hopes to showcase her talent on an international stage, further cementing her place in the world of wrestling. This star from Lee County High School is seeking sponsors to help fund the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Anyone wishing to help her get Bahrain can send donations via venmo @Jacklyn-Limardo, via Zelle @229-733-4511 or Paypal @[email protected].

ContributedJoeWhitfield[email protected]