California rolls past New York to capture Junior Women's Duals title

California’s Gabrielle Garcia takes charge in sparking her team to the Junior Women’s Freestyle Duals title on Wednesday night in Fargo. John Sachs photo.


FARGO, N.D. – California has returned to its familiar perch atop the women’s freestyle wrestling ladder.


And in a big way.


The powerful California squad capped a strong week by downing New York 43-11 to win the Junior Women’s Freestyle Duals title on Wednesday night at the Fargo Dome.


California, the winningest team in the event’s history, won its first Junior Duals title since 2012 and its sixth championship overall. California won 10 of 12 matches in Wednesday’s win over New York.


California had fallen to New York in the 2013 finals and to Washington in the 2014 finals.


"We came into training camp with 59 girls who worked their butts off,” California coach Mike Duran said. “We needed to get back on top. We have been developing, working hard all year. We needed to show we are here to dominate, and we needed to do the best that we can. To stay on top is our goal now.”


California came out strong as past Junior Nationals champion Gabrielle Garcia recorded a quick fall over New York’s Stephanie Kouboulas in the first bout at 125 pounds.


“It was important to get the team going,” Garcia said. “Some of the girls have never been on the stage before. I want to get them excited, so they wouldn't be nervous. My main idea was to keep working and get as many points as possible, and if I could, to get the pin and finish it. I wanted to get as many points as I could for the team."


New York’s Monica Mason downed California’s Victoria Espinoza 4-1 in a rematch of Tuesday night’s Junior Nationals women’s freestyle finals at 198 pounds.


Past Junior Nationals champion Kendall Reusing also recorded a fall for California.


"This was of huge importance to us,” Reusing said. “Last year, we worked so hard and we lost by two points or so to Washington. We had have everyone be really solid today. This year, we had girls who got pinned by their opponents earlier in the tournament, and this time, they got the pin. It was a huge team effort and a lot of heart went into those matches." 


California also won team titles during the Cadet and Junior Nationals tournaments over the past few days in Fargo.


Washington defeated Texas 34-24 in the third-place dual on Wednesday.

Junior and Cadet Nationals

July 18-25, Fargo Dome, Fargo, N.D.


Junior Women’s Freestyle Duals


Championship Dual


California 43, New York 11


125 pounds – Gabrielle Garcia (California) pinned Stephanie Kouboulas (New York), 0:49

130 – Jenna Garcia (California) dec. Andreina Rodriguez (New York), 6-1

139 – Rachel Butler (California) won by tech. fall over Shannon Henry (New York), 10-0

148 – Solin Piearcy (California) pinned Mickaela Samuel (New York), 1:52

159 – Alexis Bleau (New York) pinned Nicole Diaz (California), 1:00

172 – Kendall Reusing (California) pinned Vivian Vu (New York), 0:33

198 – Monica Mason (New York) dec. Victoria Espinoza (California), 4-1

97 – Hiba Salem (California) pinned Zopouled David (New York), 2:19

105 – Allida Martinez (California) dec. Alexandria Salmos (New York), 9-0

112 – Aleeah Gould (California) pinned Susan Yang (New York), 1:00

117 – Dominique Parrish (California) won by tech. fall over Hailey Finn (New York), 12-2

121 – Ricki Liang (California) dec. Michaela Beck (New York), 9-2


Junior Women’s Duals Champions


2005 – Texas

2006 – California

2007 – California

2008 – Texas

2009 – California

2010 – Not held

2011 – California

2012 – California

2013 – New York

2014 – Washington

2015 – California