Girls Wrestling ended their season 10-5 in regular season games and 1-2 in league. They are currently preparing for CIF-SS individuals, after the tough loss in the CIF Dual Division Three Championships.
Before competing in the CIF Dual Meet, the Wolverines took on the El Toro Chargers for the last time in league. Similar to the first time they played them, the Wolverines fell short by seven points. This time the difference in points was settled early in the match. Unfortunately, after the first few matches, the girls could not make up the score but still kept the match close the whole way through.
Head Coach, Ricardo Trevino says, “Losing by that little to a team before CIF is unfortunate. However, it does help us build a stronger mental state, which is crucial if you’re playing in challenging CIF games.”
Practices leading up to CIF are more intense and more important than any other practice in the regular season. A pre-CIF practice would consist of harsh conditioning with all gear on, specific wrestling techniques, and more live wrestling matches compared to other early-season practices.
On Feb. 1, the girls competed at Valencia High School in the CIF Dual meet. They went head-to-head against the Rio Mesa Spartans, whose record is currently 9-1. Ultimately the Spartans beat out the Wolverines at the last duel, with another close match with a final score 39-42.
Varsity athlete, Hannah Assoey, states, “This was the most intense match we have ever played this year. I’m very sad about it but overall I’m proud of how we played. We also have the opportunity to compete as individuals, so we are not done yet.”
Despite the team being out of CIF contention in the team competition, the girls still have the opportunity to compete in the CIF Division Three Individual Championships on Feb. 14-15. This year, the team has a total of 13 out of 20 girls eligible and ready to compete. In case you missed the Instagram post celebrating our CIF contenders, they include freshmen, Jaedynn, and sophomores, Shelby Colwell and Elisa Farzin. The junior contenders are Niva Strasser, Lexi Dillard, Cece Labayen, Kai Libunao, Erika Montes, Archita Aavula, Chanel Corredor, Hannah Assoey, Josephine Rettick, Valeria Alonso, and Eliana Trevino.
If any of these girls make it to the top four in the respective weight classes or if they are ranked in the top 15 of the Southern Section, they will continue and will be guaranteed a position at the CIF Masters Tournament on Feb. 21-22. Trevino and Rettick have previously competed in Masters and are looking to do it again. Currently, Trevino and Alonso are ranked in the top 15 in the Southern Section, so they already have the opportunity to compete.
While the competition only gets tougher, make no mistake, the athletes still have their eyes on the state meet ending March 1, but they only focus on one match at a time and one win at a time.
