LA HABRA — The Sonora girls wrestling team had six of its wrestlers pin their opponents, four in the first period, as the Raiders came away with a 60-16 victory over Huntington Beach in the CIF-SS Division 4 Dual Meet Finals on Wednesday at Sonora High School.
The Raiders also won four matches by forfeit as the Oilers competed in only 10 of the 14 weight classes.
“They put in the work,” Sonora coach Dave Carrizosa said of his team. “They didn’t want to be a separate program (from the boys). They wanted to unite. So, we don’t have a boys team. We don’t have a girls team. We have a wrestling team. And that unity helped these girls get stronger, helped them become wrestlers. And so, they put in the work.”
The Raiders got first-period pins from Ariyana Lopez (100), Malia Kimura (115), Aaliyah Nunez (120), Chloe Ho (130) and Valerie Gil (190) and second-period pins from Stella Rodriguez (105) and Malia Kimura (115).
“This is so important to us,” Chloe Ho said. “I grew up with this team. We improved a lot. We worked really hard. I’m so proud of my girls. We really do earn this. It’s been so long and it’s well deserved.”
Kimura’s victory was arguably the most impressive.
Trailing 5-0 in the 115-pound match, Kimura came back to score nine consecutive points before pinning Izabella Guerrero.
The four Oilers who won their matches did so in dominating fashion.
The Oilers’ Bella Mora won her 110-pound match against Madeline Kimura, 17-4, a major decision victory good for four team points.
Chloe Chaisson scored a 15-4, major decision victory in her 135-point match against Cayla Ho.
Frankie Weaver earned six points for the Oilers with a 19-3 technical fall victory over Illeya Casas in the 142-pound match.
“The scoreboard obviously shows that they were the better team tonight,” first-year Huntington Beach coach Kyle Cavazos said.
The Oilers have a small squad, having started the season with 13 wrestlers.
Still, Cavazos said some of his wrestlers will perform well enough in the CIF Southern Section and Masters meets to qualify for the CIF State Championships in Bakersfield.
“I’m really excited about that,” Cavazos said. “It’s really about these girls and their willingness to work hard and show up every day. And that’s why I tell them, ‘In life, all you’ve got to do is show up and work hard.’ So, if you can show up and work hard, you’re better than about 80% of the field.”