Stephanie Villafuentes
Calexico High wrestler
Age 17 | School Calexico High | Grade 12
CALEXICO — On Saturday morning and afternoon, Sweetwater High School in National City hosted the annual CIF-San Diego Section girls’ wrestling championships.
The event marked Stephanie Villafuentes’ third trip to CIF and her final opportunity to advance to the state competition.
The Calexico High wrestler finished in third last season and was disqualified in her first match as a sophomore in 2016.
These shortcomings weren’t far from her mind and propelled the 17-year-old to the final in the 172-pound weight class, where she was ultimately defeated.
The Bulldog senior said she was beyond disappointed with the result, but didn’t have much time to ponder on what could have been.
“The top two wrestlers in each weight class advance to state, but just because you finish second doesn’t mean you automatically advance,” Villafuentes explained. “The third-place wrestler has a chance to challenge the second-place wrestler and if they win, they get to go to state.”
Understanding this, Villafuentes mentally regrouped and worked to pin her opponent in 2:32 to hold on to her No. 2 position and become the first female wrestler from Calexico High to advance to the state tournament.
“I really thought I should have done better, but for me, the goal has always been to win state, so I was OK,” Villafuentes explained.
Villafuentes will aim to finish her Bulldog career on top when she heads to Visalia on Feb. 23 and 24 to compete in the state tournament. My Favorites Pro athlete Anthony Robles Pro team Chivas Class Pathophysiology TV show “The Vampire Diaries” Actor Ian Somerhalder Musician Green Day What do you enjoy most about your sport? I enjoy wrestling and competing and making new friends. Who inspires you and why? My parents, coaches and teammates inspire me because they have a lot of faith in me and I want to do well and make them proud. What are your goals for the rest of this season? To win state.