BY NATHANIEL MATA | SPECIAL TO THE MOINOTR
La Joya High’s Rosie Ramirez and McAllen Memorial’s Amanda Alvarado both finished in second place during the state wrestling meet Saturday at the Berry Center in Cypress.
Ramirez advanced to the 6A championship match at 119 pounds, while Alvarado competed for the 6A title at 148.
Alvarado recorded two pinfalls in her first two matches and a 6-4 decision over Euless Trinity’s Paisley Zandi to reach the finals in her third state appearance.
The Mustangs wrestler was not able to overcome Arlington’s Victoria Nnazoba. Alvarado earned silver on Saturday after the 7-4 decision in the championship match.
“All day I’ve been getting from different coaches, from different places, that it’s such an accomplishment, because not too many people from the Valley make it this far,” Alvarado said. “Representing the valley and representing McAllen is such a huge thing to be able to do this. I take so much pride in that. Not so many people can say that.”
Alvarado fell behind early. Though she fought back, her opponent’s two takedowns were too much to overcome. Alvarado gave up about a foot of height to her opponent, something she said was a factor in the match.
Memorial coach Eduardo Gonzalez said both wrestlers were aggressive, but Nnazoba was more of “a defensive wrestler,” giving her the title.
Ramirez fell behind early, 2-7, during her semifinal match against Alissa Sheikh of Cypress Creek. Ramirez, a senior, stormed back to tie the match, 7-7, then pinned her opponent to advance to the final.
“Rosie got put in a tight spot early where she gave up some back points, but she trusted her ability, she fought hard to the end and kept pushing through,” La Joya coach Chris Hernandez said. “Her hard work earned her that win.”
Ramirez was pinned in the championship match by Xochitl Mora-Pettis of Klein, giving the Coyotes wrestler the silver.
Rio Grande City’s Rupert Bautista entered Day 2 with the possibility of meeting Sharyland’s Joseth Suarez in a championship match for a third consecutive weekend.
Both wrestlers fell in the semifinals. Bautista won his next consolation match, allowing him to wrestle for third place. The Rio senior made quick work of his opponent, pinning him in 20 seconds to earn a bronze medal.
Jesnia Gaytan of Juarez-Lincoln qualified for the semifinals, where she lost to Lishawntwanette Bennett of Arlington Houston. Gaytan, a 215 wrestler, pinned her next opponent to earn a bronze medal.
McAllen High’s Serena Cervantes reached the semifinal at 128 but lost to Adrienne Garcia, the eventual gold medalist. Cervantes had an opportunity for bronze, but was defeated by decision in the third-place match.
McAllen Memorial’s Misty Prado lost her opening match on Friday but fought from the consolation bracket into the bronze match. Prado fell short, however, losing a 7-4 decision to Weatherford’s Alex Herle.
Suarez lost his next two matches after the semifinal, giving the senior a sixth-place finish.
Mission’s Manuel Vega, McAllen High’s Blythe Romero and PSJA North’s Laruen Segovia also recorded sixth-place finishes.
The RGV was unable to make it back to back years boasting a championship. A season ago, Grulla’s Victor Segura won 5A gold at 113.