The Riverside Press-Enterprise
Corona, Hillcrest wrestle way to CIF sectional championships
Corona and Hillcrest continue to prove why they are considered two of the elite girls wrestling programs in Southern California.
Corona hosted the CIF Southern Section’s Southern Division individual tournament championship Saturday, winning the program’s third section title in that particular format in as many seasons. The Panthers finished with 289.5 points, 69.5 points better than Walnut.
After two consecutive second-place finishes, Hillcrest won its first section title by capturing the team championship at the Northern Division tournament at San Dimas High School. The Trojans compiled 295 points, breaking the section record of 294 points set by Northview last season.
Corona had 13 of its wrestlers qualify for the section’s Masters Meet, which takes place Friday and Saturday at Palm Springs High School. Alexandra Uata was the lone individual champion for the Panthers, as she beat Orange Vista’s Alyssa Guzman 5-4 in the 170-pound final.
Colony had two wrestlers win individual championships at the Southern Division tournament. Aubrey Gonzalez claimed the 120-pound title with a 2-1 decision over Walnut’s Eliana Garcia, and Renice Gonzalez won at 135 pounds when she pinned Isabella Semana of Cerritos.
Orange Vista’s Desiree Herrera won the Southern Division’s 155-pound championship with a 10-4 decision over Mater Dei’s Layla Lorenzo. Santiago’s Kasandra Villareal prevailed at 190 pounds, scoring a winning takedown in the final seconds to pull out a 3-2 decision over Placentia Valencia’s Andrea Ramirez.
Hillcrest saw 12 of its wrestlers advance to the Masters Meet and had a pair of individual champions. Mackenzie Muniz claimed the title at 115 pounds when she pinned El Dorado’s Lola Juarez 23 seconds into overtime. Naomi Mesa pinned all four of her opponents and won the 155-pound championship with a victory over Villa Park’s Ximena Romero.
Charlene Smith of San Dimas won the Northern Division’s 235-pound championship when she pinned Hillcrest’s La Lomie Deramus.
Hamiton’s Olivia Lopez and Yucaipa’s Zahra Stewart captured the second section titles of their careers at the Central Division tournament at Adelanto High School. Lopez won the 105-pound championship with an 11-0 major decision over Santa Ana’s Alicia Serratos. Stewart pinned all five of her opponents en route to her title. Stewart trailed Samera Mejia of Oak Hills 3-2 before securing a pin in the third period.
North’s Alissa Castillo pinned all five of her opponents and won the Central Division’s 125-pound championship with a victory over Riverside Poly’s Katalina De Haro. Kyree Rubio of Canyon Springs also registered five pinfall victories and won the Central Division’s 190-pound championship with a victory over Long Beach Poly’s Raven Ross.
Chino’s Tilly Kakuk won the second section championship of her career, winning the 120-pound crown at the Eastern Division tournament at Marina High School. Montclair’s Makynna Loepp prevailed at 130 pounds when she pinned Marina’s Rachel Kritz in the championship match.
A total of 144 Inland girls qualified for the Masters Meet. Those finishing eighth or better at their respective tournaments advanced.