By Caleb Youngblood, Public Relations Coordinator
February 20, 2025
St. Martin, MS – In a groundbreaking achievement for the newly established Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science (MSMS) wrestling program, Nina Weinstein earned the 1st place title in the 152-pound weight class at the 2025 MHSAA Wrestling State Championships. The event, held at St. Martin High School on February 14-15, saw the state’s top 16 female wrestlers compete in a thrilling showcase of athleticism, determination, and skill.
Weinstein’s victory was a testament to both her hard work and the strong competitiveness of the MSMS wrestling team, which has supported and uplifted one another throughout the season, growing together as a tight-knit family. “I remember when I first got up from the mat it didn’t feel real,” Weinstein said after her victory. “I had injured my MCL earlier in the season, and for a while I didn’t think I would be able to even finish the season. But when I saw my teammates and family cheering for me, and my coach had the biggest grin on his face, I knew that all the hours I spent training and conditioning were all worth it.”
This year marked the inaugural season for MSMS, and the program has already made waves with four of its wrestlers—Weinstein (Caledonia, MS), Shaw Prewitt (Shannon, MS), Jayden Wagner (Picayune, MS), and Enoch Clardy (Amory, MS)—making it to state after finishing in the top 8 of the North Half competition. “This team is very close and they care about one another,” said Coach Jerry Brauer. ” We all work together to help ensure that the team is successful. Four team members qualifying for state confirms this.”
Weinstein’s journey to the state title was anything but easy. She faced fierce competition in a stacked field of skilled wrestlers, including the number one seed in her weight class. “Going into this match, I was nervous because I knew Elizabeth was a strong wrestler and very technically advanced,” Weinstein recalled. “During a previous match, she had beaten me in overtime. But I knew that I had been well trained and my conditioning was good at this point. The last time I went against her, I was so nervous that I had given up before I got on the mat. This time, I knew I had the ability to beat her, so I focused on wrestling my best.”
Weinstein’s strategy paid off as she won the match 4-1. “Winning that match brought myself, my coach, and my team to tears,” she said. “I knew I had been training specifically for this moment, and that victory gave me a huge confidence boost.”
The win propelled her to the finals, where she faced North Pontotoc’s Ashley Montafur. “My final match with Ashley was a full 3-period match,” Weinstein explained. “I was definitely more nervous because the whole gymnasium was watching us, and there was just one mat instead of four. During the whole match my coach’s previous instructions raced through my head. I was thinking about her posture, her moves, and moves she could be doing. There were definitely openings for cool ‘flashy’ moves I could do but I stuck with what I knew worked.”
Coach Jerry Brauer, who joined the team in January, has played a key role in developing the program and instilling a sense of discipline and teamwork. “I wasn’t here when the program first started, but I was told that the initial group of wrestlers were so motivated that they had their first practices on the grass outside,” Brauer said. “We now have a practice room with limited equipment. But we worked with what we have and we make no excuses in this sport. The heart, desire, and passion for wrestling are what drive this team.”
Brauer also expressed immense pride in Weinstein’s achievement. “My initial response to Nina’s championship title was how proud I was that she accomplished what she set out to do, convincingly,” he said. “Nina’s trust in me has been unwavering, and that speaks volumes. She did everything I asked her to do, both in practice and competition, and it’s paid off. Nina is the epitome of what this team represents: heart, drive, and a willingness to learn.”
Originally from Florida, Brauer moved to the area with his wife and has a distinguished 32-year wrestling career, all spent in Florida. He first stepped onto the mat in 1975, and after retiring from a 25-year career as a sheriff’s deputy and supervisor with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, he is now using his wealth of experience to guide MSMS wrestling.
Weinstein’s victory has fueled the team’s aspirations for the future. “Having a State Champion in the team’s inaugural season is priceless,” Brauer said. “The team members want the team to grow, because they feel we can then compete for team success as well as individual success. They have faith in themselves as well as in me, thank goodness.”
With the program already on a promising trajectory, Coach Brauer has plans for its continued growth. “Our future plans include expanding the team, seeking sponsors for equipment and creating a team club for offseason training,” he said. “We also plan to build a Booster Club and engage more with the community to ensure they know there’s a high school wrestling team in the area.”
For Weinstein, the journey is just beginning. “Wrestling for MSMS fills me with a lot of honor,” she said. ” I am very proud to be a student from MSMS and competing at a high level. I feel hopeful that my accomplishments will entice and motivate others to do similar things and achieve their own personal goals.”
Looking ahead, Weinstein’s goals for next season remain focused. “My goal for next season is the same as this one,” she said. “I want to compete to the best of my abilities and hopefully win state again. I also look forward to growing the MSMS wrestling team and gain the opportunity to continue wrestling into college.”
For those who couldn’t make it to St. Martin High School, the Mississippi Wrestling Network covered the entire championship live. The full stream of the event is available on their page, allowing fans to re-watch the matches, including Nina Weinstein’s remarkable victory.
As the MSMS wrestling program continues to grow, this state championship win will surely be remembered as one of its most defining moments. The team’s success in its first season is just the beginning of what promises to be a bright and successful future in Mississippi wrestling.
Interested in donating to the wrestling team? Reach out to the MSMS Foundation by emailing info@msmsfoundation.com or visit https://www.msmsfoundation.com