SOLEDAD — Soledad High sophomore Natalie Ramirez placed first in the 235-pound weight class at the Central Coast Section wrestling championships on Saturday to qualify for the California Interscholastic Federation State Meet.
The state finals will begin Thursday, Feb. 27, at Mechanics Bank Arena in Bakersfield.
According to Soledad head girls’ wrestling coach Tiffany Muro, Ramirez picked a good day to come away with three pins for victory.
“Natalie drew a bye and then won the rest of her next three matches by pin,” Muro said. “She also was able to beat Violett Ross from Monterey for the first time in the most important match of the year so far. As a first-year coach, I am excited that we are taking an athlete to the State Meet.”
The King City girls’ wrestling team took six girls to the CCS finals and only Shyrah McDonald at 115 pounds and Makayla Montoya were able to come up with wins and finish in the top 12. Wrestling to 0-2 records were: Sophia Patino (235), Yahaira Torres (100), Mia Lopez (105) and Haily Adair (170).
Wrestling for the Greenfield girls’ team and finishing 0-2 at CCS were: Violeta Camacho (125), Marlene Hernandez (140) and Audrey Cruz (115).
Clarissa Rico of Gonzales finished in seventh place at 110 pounds with a 1-2 record.
In the boys’ competition, Josiah Rosales-Garcia finished with a 2-2 record at 215 pounds and was just one match short from earning a CCS medal. Rosales-Garcia won by pin in his two victories.
“Overall, Josiah and Clarissa had strong performances,” said Gonzales head coach Larry Rodriguez. “Clarissa is a freshman, so we expect her to be back at CCS.”
Mustafa Al-Zuhairi of Soledad wrestled at 132 pounds and had a 0-2 record. Jesse Chavez of Greenfield had a 1-2 record at 150 pounds.
