Chris Coppola
Here is The Arizona Republic’s All-Arizona High School Girls Wrestling Team for the 2023-24 season, along with coach of the year. The 12 wrestlers were chosen for their performances in girls wrestling competition in 2023-24 and are nominees for the girls wrestler of the year, which will be announced at the Arizona High School Sports Awards, sponsored by Diamond Kitchen & Bath, on June 17 at Arizona Financial Theater in downtown Phoenix. The show is produced in partnership with Western States Home Services. (Wrestlers are listed alphabetically, followed by honorable mentions.)
Republic’s 2023-24 All-Arizona Girls’ Wrestling Team
Claire Avery, Liberty, Sr.: Won the Division 1 state title in the 152-pound class and finished the season 38-1.
Nevaeh Flemmons Kingman Lee Williams, Jr.: She won the Division II title in the 138-pound class and finished with an impressive 5-2 record this season, according to the AIA.
Alena Garcia, Cesar Chavez, Jr.: Won the Division I state title in the 138-pound class, defeating defending champion (132-class) Taylor Colangelo in the final. She finished the season 29-1.
Lillian Gradillas-Flores, Marana Mountain View, Sr.: Won the Division I state title in the 165-pound class, her second consecutive individual state championship, and finished the season 31-0.
Lily Hunt, Liberty, Sr.: She won the Division I tile in the 145-pound class to help the Lions win the D-I team championship. She finished the season 38-2.
Lola Hunt, Liberty, Jr.: She won the Division I title in the 114-pound class and finished the season with a 41-3 record, helping to lead the Lions to the D-I team championship.
Jamie Laswell, Cesar Chavez, Sr.: She won the Division 1 title in the 132pound class an finished the season 28-0.
Madelyn Oliver, Benjamin Franklin, Fr.: She won the Division II title in the 165-pound class and finished the season undefeated, 28-0.
Brianna Reyes, Valley Vista, Sr.: She won the Division I title in the 126-pound class, winning an individual championship for the second straight year. Finished the season 44-1.
Ave Risati, ALA West Foothills, Jr.: Won her second consecutive individual state championship this year, in the Division II 235-pound class. She finished the season 21-1.
Sienna Whitington, AZ College Prep, Jr.:
She won the Division II title in the 145-pound class and finished the season with a 39-2 record.
Nylease Yzagere, Peoria, Sr.: Won her second consecutive individual state championship this year, in the Division II 185-pound class. She finished the season
34-0.
Honorable mentions: Khyla Lipumano, Yuma Catholic, So; Divina Diaz Rios, Yuma High, Sr; Sarah Perez, Sahuarita, Jr.; Adilynn Stewart, Cactus, Sr; Miyah Palacios, Sahuarita, Sr; Altagracia Wix, Marcos de Niza, So.; Madeline Mench Mica Mountain, Jr.; Adianna Ponce, Parker, Jr.; Rheanna Tree, Red Mesa, So.; Lyla Tree, Red Mesa, Sr.; Talitha DuBose, Marcos de Niza, So.; Andie Donahue, Valley Christian, Sr.; Shaunna Harper, Apache Junction, Sr.; Kaytlin Laduke, Snowflake, Jr.; Sonora Harper, Round Valley, Sr.; Jozie Shepard, San Pasqual, Sr.; Katy Madril, Greenway, Jr.; Cynthia
Martinez, Morenci, Jr.; Brooke Newton, Coolidge, Sr.; Sophia Smith, Canyon del Oro, Jr.; Kennedy Farrar, Gila Ridge, Jr.; Athea Valenzuela, Basha, So.; Andee Anderson, Basha, Sr.; Elizabeth Valenzuela Smith, Pueblo, Fr.; Jacianna Beltran, Sunnyside, So.; Iliana Castaneda, Sunnyside, Jr.; Jaylean Alfaro, Sunnyside, So.; Arianna Mauch, Perry, Sr.; Camille Torres, Cibola, Fr.; Vanessa Aguirre, Youngker, Jr.; Taylor Colangelo, Liberty, Sr.; Syria Smith, Goldwater, Jr.; Taina Uasike, Mesa Mountain View, Jr.; Chloe Gatrost, Centennial, Fr.; Daesiah Varner, Cienega, Fr.; Diana Rivera, La Joya, Sr.
Coach of the year
Garrett Finch, Round Valley: He led his team to the state’s first Division II girls’ wrestling championship, edging traditional wrestling power Sahuarita. The AIA opted to create a second division in girls’ wrestling this year, dividing smaller or emerging school programs in the sport. Finch was quoted in an AIA story after the team’s win: “They broke up the divisions and gave the small school girls a little bit of a chance to fight for it (title).” Others considered: Davy Miller, Liberty; William Olivas, Sunnyside; Gabriel Lopez, Sahaurita.