HANFORD – Rolling to a perfect 5-0 record, including three pins
and two major decisions, GHS junior Jasmine Yanez wrestled her way
to a state championship at the California Girls Invitational held
in Hanford over the weekend.
HANFORD – Rolling to a perfect 5-0 record, including three pins and two major decisions, GHS junior Jasmine Yanez wrestled her way to a state championship at the California Girls Invitational held in Hanford over the weekend.
Yanez, the No. 1-seed, worked through a field of 36 wrestlers in the 98-pound bracket, leaving little doubt as to who was champion after a 10-1 win in the finals over Marina Sanchez of La Sierra High School.
The tournament serves as the state championship for girls wrestling because the sport is not yet sanctioned by the CIF.
The state championship is just one of a handful of tournament accomplishments for Yanez this season.
She placed second at the Lady Lancer in Manteca, third at the Queen of the Mat in Antioch and dazzled at the CIF NorCal Regional, taking first, which qualified her for last weekend’s state meet.
Yanez also finished in the top-12 at this year’s Mid-Cals, wrestling in the 103-pound division.
GHS WRESTLING
In another tune up for the upcoming postseason tournaments, the GHS wrestling team brought nine wrestlers to the 45th annual Overfelt Classic, and with 236.5 team points finished first, edging out host school Overfelt (154), who finished third, and the rival St. Francis (219), who placed second.
Five of the nine Mustangs took the top spot in their respective weight classes. Jesse Delgado, Willie Fox, Blake Kastl and Dominic Kastl earned their second straight tournament championships, following their victories at last weekend’s Mid-Cals.
After missing a few weeks due to various injuries, Rodney Balajadia returned to action and went 4-0 to take the 119-pound crown.
Leif Dominquez finished in second, losing by decision to Daniel Polanco in the finals. Dominguez picked up two wins by fall and a decision en route to the finals.
After facing the state’s No. 1-ranked heavyweight in last week’s finals, Luis Barragan had the task of taking on the state’ No. 2- ranked Drew Meulman. Barragan came up on the short end this go-around, losing by fall in the first period. However, it is likely the two will meet again at the CCS championships which are just three weeks away.
First up for the Mustangs, though, is a matchup with rival San Benito in the TCAL dual meet finale. The first match is set for 6 p.m. on Wednesday.
The TCAL championships are Saturday Feb. 6 in Gilroy.
