Washington earns dramatic win over California at Junior Women's Duals

Washington’s Hailey Huerta celebrates her match-clinching victory on Wednesday night. John Sachs photo. 

FARGO, N.D. – It all came down to the final match at the Junior Women’s Freestyle Duals. 

And Washington’s Hailey Huerta delivered.

Huerta downed California’s Marina Briceno 9-4 at 130 pounds to lift Washington to a dramatic 32-27 win in the gold-medal dual on Wednesday night at the Fargo Dome 

Washington won its first team title in the nine-year history of this event.

“We had a very intensive wrestling camp and the girls trained extremely hard,” Washington coach Merle Crockett said. “They were a real good group to coach. They listened and they learned as they went through this tournament. Our girls are tough and they are in very good shape. The girls did an awesome job.” 

Alyssa Gonzalez earned a key win by fall at 125 to pull California within 29-26 entering the night’s final bout.

Huerta then followed with her clutch victory, using a strong second period to send Washington to the championship. 

Junior Nationals champion Desiree Zavala of Washington opened with a fall over California’s Izzy Valles in the dual’s first match at 139.

Junior Nationals champion Marizza Birrueta of Washington built a big lead before pinning California’s Alyssa Barredo at 112. 

“Our team really came together,” Birrueta said. “It’s amazing to win this. It’s indescribable.”

Junior Nationals champion Dominique Parrish of California powered her way to a technical fall win over Cadet Nationals champion Sierra Joner of Washington at 117 pounds. 

Junior Nationals champion Gabby Garcia of California ran an arm bar to pin Marylou Martinez of Washington late in the first period at 121.

Junior Nationals champion Kendall Reusing of California won by fall in her match at 159.

Junior Women's Duals Gold-Medal Match

Washington 32, California 27
139 Desiree Zavala (Washington St Helens) pinned Izzy Valles (California A), 2:31
148 Tatum Sparks (Washington St Helens) won by tech. fall over Nahiela Magee (California A), 13-2
159 Kendall Reusing (California A) pinned CharliAnn McCall (Washington St Helens), 0:52
172 Kacie Moohouse (Washington St Helens) tech. fall over Alexandria Glaude (California A), 13-2
198 Ryan Gibbons (Washington St Helens) pinned Courtney Tompkins (California A), 0:58
97 Marina Doi (California A) won by forfeit
105 Brenda Reyna (Washington St Helens) pinned Harmonie Roberts (California A), 1:01
112 Marizza Birrueta (Washington St Helens) pinned Alyssa Barredo (California A), 5:41
117 Dominique Parrish (California A) won by tech. fall over Sierra Joner (Washington St Helens), 12-2
121 Gabby Garcia (California A) pinned Marylou Martinez (Washington St Helens),  2:01
125 Alyssa Gonzalez (California A) pinned Brea Diaz (Washington St Helens), 3:28
130 Hailey Huerta (Washington St Helens) over Marina Briceno (California A), 9-4