Brawley’s Ana Cuen signs with Southwestern Oregon
EDITOR’S NOTE This is the fourth of five stories featuring a local student-athlete that signed a letter of intent during a signing ceremony at Brawley Union High on June 6.
BRAWLEY — For the second year in a row, the women’s wrestling program at Southwestern Oregon Community College has added a Brawley Union High athlete to its roster.
Last year, Wildcat standout Victoria Smith signed to become a Laker and later this year will be joined by former high school teammate Ana Cuen.
Cuen, a recent Brawley Union High grad, committed to the community college located in Coos Bay during a signing ceremony at Brawley Union High.
Cuen was one of six athletes that signed to participate in a college sport during the ceremony and was one of two wrestlers including Luis Bravo, who will wrestle at Wartburg College in Iowa.
“Tori came down to visit earlier this year and she started talking to me about (the program) and just asking if I knew what my plans were,” Cuen explained.
The four-year wrestler said she had been looking for opportunities to wrestle after high school and hadn’t yet made a decision when she began talking to Smith.
With Smith’s help and her own resume, Cuen discussed the possibility of becoming a Laker with the program’s head coach Josh White.
“He had four scholarships to give, and I took it,” said the 18-year-old with a smile. “I’m definitely excited and a little nervous at the same time.”
In Cuen, the Lakers will be receiving a fairly young athlete, considering the former Wildcat only picked up the sport her freshman year at Brawley.
In joining the team, Cuen helped start the girls’ wrestling program at Brawley, which produced a full roster last season.
Cuen served as the squad’s co-captain and wrestled a strong senior season, finishing runner-up in the CIF-San Diego Section tourney.
The grappler will also be joining a strong program in Oregon as the Lakers were recently given the No. 10 rank by the National Wrestling Coaches Association.
“I’m excited to meet new people and make friends and continue improving as an athlete,” Cuen said.
“It’s a strong program so I’m ready for the opportunity to work more.”
Cuen’s high school coach Ray Leon said he was looking forward to following Cuen’s collegiate career and wished her well in the years to come.