Lemoore's Cadena wins Central Section wrestling title, on to Visalia for State Meet

Cadena, who went 23-1 this season, won her first two matches by pin while adding to section titles she won at 126 pounds as a sophomore and junior. Lemoore Coach Marcio Botelho told The Leader that Candena has an excellent chance to win a state title. "She did miss weight last week (league meet) but league is not a qualifier," he said. "I think she has a really good chance to win the state title," he said. "She went down a weight this year. She says she really feels good at that weight."

Esperanza Cadena match video from Selma

Next up for the talented senior wrestler is a trip to the CIF State Championships to be held Feb. 26-27 at the Visalia Convention Center.

The top team to go to the State Championships will be Selma High School, where the Masters were held this week. Selma captured the Central Section team championship.

At last year’s State Girls’ Wrestling championships, Cadena finished fifth. As a team Lemoore finished 7th overall.

Lemoore’s Eunique Barns was the only other Tiger to challenge for a championship, but lost her third place match to Edison’s Nancy Zermeno at 191 pounds.