Lemoore's Esperanza Cadena first to medal in State Girls' Wrestling Meet

Cadena was also the only Kings County girl to medal at the state meet.

Cadena lost in the final round to Davena Banda of Northview High School 2-0 to finish sixth overall.

Cadena earned a bye, probably in part to her winning the Central Section title. She lost to Jackie Quintana in her first match to send her to the consolation bracket. She then beat Savannah Gonzalez 3-0 and then earned a win over Kaylee Halsey 10-7.  She then defeated Talisha Dozier 4-3 before losing to Brandi Elizalde which sent her to the fifth place match where she was beaten 2-0 by Banda.

The eventual 126-pound champion was Chanel Chawatt of Albany.

While certainly disappointed Cadena relished her spot in the state meet. “It was amazing,” she said of her sixth place finish while only a sophomore. She fully expects to return to the mats next year and battle again for the state title. “I need to work hard and be more confident,” she said.

The daughter of Stratford’s Clothilda Cadena and Robert Dunn, she took up the sport as a freshman and she credits watching her father. “My father does mixed martial arts and that kind of got me into wrestling,” she said.