Gilroy High School junior Jasmine Yanez participated in the
Pan-American Cadet Championships Aug. 15 in Managua, Nicaragua,
representing the United States in the 114-pound women’s freestyle
division.
MANAGUA, NICARAGUA – Gilroy High School junior Jasmine Yanez participated in the Pan-American Cadet Championships Aug. 15 in Managua, Nicaragua, representing the United States in the 114-pound women’s freestyle division.
“It was an incredible experience,” Yanez said. “I got to meet a whole bunch of great people and be around a lot of different cultures. The wrestling community is just getting started. There are only three mats in the whole country. It was a lot different because we have our own mats here and don’t have to share with the whole country.”
Awarded a first-round bye as the No. 1 seed, Yanez went on to win one of her two matches, securing a silver medal.
The freestyle team, which consisted of Yanez and seven other female wrestlers from around the country, earned eight medals – four gold – and the team championship
Yanez, who typically wrestles at 103 pounds for coach Greg Varela and the Mustangs, took on the challenge of grappling with opponents carrying an extra 10 pounds to the mat. But, Yanez is used to facing sturdy competition in the circle.
“I didn’t put on any extra weight, I just went up against the heavier girls,” Yanez said. “It wasn’t too big a difference for me because I wrestle in practice against guys that are bigger than me. But, you can definitely feel the difference.”
The soft-spoken varsity wrestler said she was approached last May at a national tournament in Colorado and was offered a spot on the Pan-American squad.
“They saw me wrestle at the 108(-pound) division and thought I was good enough for the spot and asked me to wrestle,” Yanez said.
For now Yanez said her focus is on her upcoming season with the Mustangs, but she added she wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to represent her country again next year.
