GREENFIELD — Estrella Vasquez-Gutierrez was the shining star for Greenfield High after she took first in the 235-pound weight class championship at the Central Coast Section (CCS) Masters Tournament at Watsonville High School on Feb. 17.
The defending heavyweight champion went 3-0 in last weekend’s tourney. She pinned Alisal High’s Illiana Serrano in the second period to capture her second straight section title.
“I’m really excited,” Vasquez-Gutierrez said. “I’m happy to be the two-time CCS champ.”
The top four wrestlers in each of the 14 weight divisions advanced to the California Interscholastic Federation State Wrestling Championships at Mechanics Bank Arena in Bakersfield on Feb. 22-24.
Vasquez-Gutierrez was one of the top seeds going into the CCS Masters Tournament. She had a bye in the first round before she won three straight matches, pinning Isabella Perez of Hollister High, Sa’otama’i Loia of St. Francis High (Mountain View) and finally Serrano in the championship bout.
“Since this is my second year, I feel like I have more experience,” Vazquez-Gutierrez said. “Everything I did my first year I felt more pressure.”
Vasquez-Gutierrez won a previous meeting against Serrano, pinning her in 1 minute, 30 seconds.
On Saturday, Serrano knew what to expect and made Vasquez-Gutierrez earn her victory.
“I was struggling on the bottom. I was trying to get up but she would grab my ankle and I couldn’t anymore,” Vasquez-Gutierrez said. “I heard my coach saying, ‘Build your base, build your base.’ I tried to roll her but her arm was underneath my armpit when it’s supposed to be on top.”
Vasquez-Gutierrez eventually built her base and was able to take down Serrano for the win.
Capturing her first section title last season was sweet for Vaszquez-Gutierrez, but she feels like this final ride has been momentous. Her mom took a bigger interest after the standout Bruins wrestler qualified for the CIF State Championships in 2023.
“Last year she didn’t really know about it, but then I went to State and she saw that,” Vasquez-Gutierrez said. “I feel like it’s a lot more special because she’s like ‘You can do it, I know you can.’”
Next up, a trip back to the big stage in Bakersfield and a chance to place on the podium.
“I definitely want to place in the top three, hopefully win it,” Vasquez-Gutierrez said. “It’s really hard but it’s not impossible.”
