Wrestler of the Year - "it's Summertime"

Archbishop Spalding’s Summer Mutschler is one of the “Big 3” in Maryland Girls’ Wrestling alongside her teammate Taina Fernandez and the Bullis’ School’s Kesi Tsarni. It’s not because they are from private schools that they stand out from the pack, but because they held a national ranking in the final reports from High School on SI.

Fernandez and Tsarni are ranked first and sixth respectively at 145 pounds. Mutschler ended her sophomore year, ranked No. 8 in the country at 105 pounds and No. 1 in Maryland at 110. Summer’s father, Chuck, informed us earlier this year that Summer would drop to 105 pounds on the national scene but stay at 110 locally.

Mutschler was top-rated as a freshman in Maryland but her national rankings by the outlets available before SI stepped in did not seem to have proper records on the Cavalier as we seem to recall her being questionably low in those ratings. For a quick glimpse of how poor some of the other outlets are, Mat Scouts recently added Illinois’ Gina Cassioppi to their rankings, the problem with that is Cassioppi is now a college wrestler that graduated a year ago.

This year Mutschler held onto her throne in Maryland with dominating performances at War on the Shore and Who’s #1?. Mutschler left little doubt as to the validity of that ranking as she handed losses to three of the other top five girls at 110 pounds.

“The Maryland girls are gritty and tough, and I need to continue training with mindfulness,” offered Mutschler. “Being on the same team as Taina (Fernandez) and learning from her leadership has helped set the standard. It’s awesome to see the growth of women’s wrestling in Maryland, and I’m grateful to be part of it.”

All of this and her performance at the national tournaments on the schedule made Summer Mutschler an obvious pick for one of Legacy Wrestling’s Female Wrestlers of the Year. She enjoys this honor alongside her brother Charlie, who was one of our boys’ selections. The two are part of a set of triplets along with sister Jade, who runs cross country.

“It’s an incredible honor, and I’m really grateful,” Mutschler said. “It reflects everyone around me—my coaches, teammates, and family—and just motivates me to keep improving.”

Two of those top five encounters came at War on the Shore, where Mutschler decked No. 5 Isabella Peluso (Quince Orchard) in the middle of the second round, 2:58, to secure her second time atop the War battleground, and blanked No. 2 Madelyn Hartman of Oakdale, 8-0, in the semifinals.

Pins of 1:05 and 30 seconds were placed on the bracket in her first two matches. Last year’s crown was gained with all pins. Hartman went onto to win a public-school state championship and Peluso was fourth.

“I’m thankful for the opportunity to compete against tough opponents,” remarked Mutschler. “Repeating as champ meant a lot, but I’m always looking to improve my technique and enjoying the process.”

Mutschler repeated at Who’s #1? by sticking No. 4 Wura Idowu (Randallstown) in the third period, 4:55, and relegated No. 15 Makaiya Robinette (Stephen Decatur) to the consolation rounds on a 55 second fall. A :40 second pin preceded her time with Robinette. Idowu placed third at states.

“Coach Dyke runs a first-class tournament with some of the top girls in Maryland, and I’m really grateful for the experience,” Mutschler said. “It’s a big stage. Competing against top talent in Maryland, which helps me grow. It’s fun being around Team Maryland and sharing those moments, like winning the Red Ruby.”

Unlike Fernandez, Mutschler’s exposure to wrestling boys in Maryland was limited to two matches that we could find with the first being a loss to McDonogh’s No. 2 Jacob Naylor and her win coming at the Cavalier Duals against Arundel’s John Erskine, who she beat, 15-4.

On the national front, Mutschler equaled or improved her finishes from a year ago at the Women of Ironman, Girls’ Beast of the East, and National Prep Tournament.

After earning an Ironman bronze in 2024, Mutschler reached the finals this year and faced off with Hillcrest, Utah’s Eva Zimmerman (No. 5 at 110 pounds). The Lady from the West kept the Cavalier off the board as she threw up a 12-0 major decision.

Mutschler won a semifinal meeting with Ohio state runner-up, No. 13 Isabella Thiel (Walsh Jesuit), 9-4, and flattened Broken Arrow, Oklahoma’s Alina Peralta in 1:25 of the quarterfinal bout. Pins of 1:45 and 29 seconds were gained in her first two matches.

“I didn’t get the result I wanted, but improving my placement showed growth,” reflected Mutschler. “I’m proud of that, but I’m still hungry for more. I’m focused on the mental game when competing against top-ranked girls.”

As a freshman, Mutschler graced the Beast finals and would do so again this year, with another second-place finish after taking it on the chin versus World Bronze Medalist, No. 1 Jaclyn Bouzakis (Wyoming Seminary, PA), receiving a 19-4 technical fall loss.

The Beast semis saw Mutschler get all over Quakertown, Pennsylvania’s Ashley Stank (No. 9 at 100 pounds) with a 15-4 major decision. Three pins of 1:21, 29 and 15 seconds moved her into the quarters. Stank dropped to 100 and claimed a PA State Championship.

“It shows consistency, but it also fuels me,” Mutschler remarked. “I’m working on the little details to take that next step and trusting the results will come.”

Unfortunately for Mutschler, the lineup juggling for Preps by Seminary didn’t remove Bouzakis from her bracket and she would run into the Blue Knight once again in the National Prep Finals and suffer an earlier ending in this one on a 1:37 fall.

Mutschler decked Olivia Polansky (Choate Rosemary Hall, CT) in the semis and tacked on pins of 53 and 50 seconds in the early going to aid her in outperforming last year’s fourth place showing.

“I’m happy and proud of the progress, and grateful for the experience,” Mutschler added. “I know I can keep climbing to become more dominant. Competing against someone like Jaclyn Bouzakis at events like Beast, the Bobcat College Open, and Preps has pushed me to get better. It motivates me to get back to the lab and keep improving.”

Legacy Wrestling asked Summer what her overall thoughts on the season were.

“I have a lot of respect for my competitors in Maryland and Nationally,” Mutschler continued. “I believe in the process—just taking every opportunity to get better and have fun with it. I’m grateful for everyone who supports me in the journey, and I’m excited for freestyle season. My coaches have been helping me with freestyle techniques, and I’m looking forward to continuing to grow and trusting that the results will come.”