Gutierrez wins all-girls state title plus T-CAL crown
SALINAS – Whether she’s up against other female wrestlers or competing with the boys, junior Vanessa Gutierrez is a force to be reckon with.
The 16-year-old sensation not only won the Girls State Finals back on Feb. 7 in Vallejo in the 189-pound division, but she also took home the 215-pound league championship at Saturday’s JV Finals in Salinas.
“I just want to give thanks to my dad,” said Gutierrez, who is trained by her father, Gabriel. “If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be going to the girls tournaments. He’s a coach and a dad.”
With her father in her corner and her entire family cheering her on, Gutierrez showed that she can hang with the fellas by winning all three of her matches, including two by pinfall, despite giving up more than 20 pounds.
“You have to feel around more and not get into it as much and watch for head and arms, and throws (when you are wrestling up in weight),” said Gutierrez, who got a rise out of the crowd when she picked up one male opponent and suplexed him over her head. “I think it’s a little easier because they’re not as flexible (as the female wrestlers).”
Aside from her JV accolades, Gutierrez, accompanied by her father, competed in several all-girls tournaments, the latest being the state championships.
After making her way into the finals, Gutierrez squared off against Westmont’s Amy Horowitz, who had beaten her in their four previous encounters. This time, the garlic grappler brought something extra and pulled off a 2-0 overtime victory over Horowitz.
“I just felt around more and didn’t try to shoot,” Gutierrez said. “From all the running we do, I have the endurance. I didn’t really get tired.”
In the overtime session, Gutierrez, who placed second in girls state the last two seasons, used a snap down to a spin drill to take down Horowitz for the championship win.
“I’ve been going to the gym a lot and my dad helps me out at home,” said Gutierrez, who received a sponsorship from Gilroy Health & Fitness, but needs some more community support to enable her to compete at the national championships in Michigan. “Just to see how everybody else wrestles and see if I can at least place.”
Any person or business willing to help Gutierrez get to the national meet should contact Mustang JV Coach Marty Serrano.
