Lemoore High School’s Angelita Sanchez took on Selma’s Merijah Morales in the finals, but despite losing, earned herself a spot in the state championships at 106 pounds – thanks to her true second win.
Joining Sanchez is Eunique Barnes, at 189 pounds, who lost in the finals to Golden Valley’s Kayvette Osorio. Barnes also defeated Mira Monte’s Nadia Marquez 13-8 to earn the trip to Visalia.
Selma took the top team spot on Thursday with an impressive array of wrestlers. The Bears finished with 244.5 points to clearly outdistance second-place Golden Valley’s 155. Lemoore was just two points behind at 152.
There were 58 teams participating in this year’s Central Section Masters, held at Lemoore High School’s Event Center.
“Our goal was to get all 11 of our wrestlers to the state,” said Coach Armando Calderon. “It was certainly tough, but we did take third place out of 50 teams.”
One especially bright spot, said Calderon, was the performance of Barnes, who could very well be a potential state champion. The talented wrestler is only a sophomore. “There’s a lot we can do to get her to the next level,” said Calderon.
Gracie Clark came within one match of earning a spot at the state championships. She lost to Golden Valley’s Assata Lewis in the finals, but lost the true second match.