New Headline: Gabby and Ella Take on Ever-Connected Champions in Epic Showdown!
Gabriella Conte and Ella Poalillo are both juniors who won their third state titles. Will they try to make it four next year?
ATLANTIC CITY - Ella Poalillo and Gabriella Conte go to different schools in opposite directions, and compete in different weight classes. But the one thing the high school juniors share in common is that they’re now both three-time state champions. Poalillo of High Point and Conte of Hanover Park each claimed a third straight state title on March 14 at Boardwalk Hall.
Conte won the 107-pound crown and Poalillo won at 152 pounds. They became the sixth and seventh girls to win three NJSIAA titles, joining Princeton’s Chloe Ayres, Manalapan’s Jess Johnson, Monroe‑Old Bridge’s Gabriella Miller and DePaul senior Olivia Georges , who also accomplished the feat earlier in the day on March 14. The only four‑time winner remains Bloomfield’s Kira Pipkins.
Will Conte or Poalillo take a shot at joining her next year? “This is what I trained for all season. It’s the main event so I’m glad to get it done,” Conte said.
“It’s great coming into high school and going three-for-three so far. And of course, my goal next year is to win a fourth one. ” Conte, the top seed and heavy favorite, capped off a 32-1 campaign.