Washington defeats seven-time champion California in Women's Junior Dual finals, 33-32

FARGO, N.D. – Washington won its second Women’s Junior Duals national championship on Saturday night, edging out powerhouse and seven-time champion California in the finals, 33-32.

“When I assembled the team, I told them this was going to be one of the most special trips they’ve been on, and they’re going to walk away national champions,” Washington coach Andy Cook said. “We had an amazing training camp coming in. The kids bought in. I felt like it was a full team effort today and I’m really excited about it.”

With the dual starting at 144 pounds, Washington got out to a quick start, collecting a technical fall and a pin.

Emma Bruntil of Washington wrapped up a solid 10-0 tech fall over Julia Padilla in the 144-pound match at the 5:11 mark. Lena Flanagan followed it up with a fall over Anatli Smalley with six seconds remaining in the bout at 152 pounds. Flanagan led 9-3 before getting the pin.

California came storming back, winning the next four matches to take over the team lead, 18-10.

The Golden State’s comeback included pins from Dymond Guilford at 172 pounds, Corey Burton at 200 pounds and a win by forfeit for Arianna Cobian at 225 pounds. Emily Sandoval picked up a 3-1 decision at 180 pounds.

Perhaps the biggest turning point of the dual came at 100 pounds, when Kenzie Cormier, who was trailing 10-4, stuck California’s Nina Pham to add five team points.

“It was an amazing moment and it was a momentum switch in the match,” Cook said. “Once that went down, we had belief again and it wiped away that forfeit at heavyweight.

California won the 106-pound bout by way of 12-2 tech fall from Angelina Gomez; however, Washington’s Viktorya Torres responded with a 14-4 win at 113 pounds.

Another notable win for Washington happened at 117 pounds, where 2017 Cadet Pan American champion Cameron Guerin outlasted two-time Cadet World medalist Alleida Martinez in a 5-2 bout. The two wrestled the night before in the Junior women’s freestyle national championships finals, with Martinez walking away victorious, 6-5.

“I just wanted to give it all I had,” Guerin said. “I had nothing to lose. Losing to her in the finals last night was really hard, so getting that redemption meant a lot to me.”

Her teammates at 122 and 127 pounds followed up with dominance, putting the national duals championship closer within their reach.

Payton Stroud wrapped up the 122-pound match in 1:23, teching California’s Rory Coscia, 10-0, while Brenda Reyna earned a 33-second pin at 127 pounds over Clare Garcia from California.

Although Washington lost the next bout at 132 pounds, a crucial two points scored by Joessie Gonzales gave Washington a team point and sealed the national title with one match left.

California’s Jenna Garcia defeated Gonzales, 7-2.

In the final match, 138 pounds, McKenna Hutchison of California earned a fast pin over Nicole Clark, but it was not enough as Washington beat two-time defending champion California for the 2017 Junior Women’s National Duals crown, 33-32.

2017 JUNIOR WOMEN’S NATIONAL DUALS

at Fargo, N.D.

Championship – Washington 33, California Red 32
144 – Emma Bruntil (WA) tech. fall Julia Padilla (CA), 10-0, 5:11
152 – Lena Flanagan (WA) pin Anatli Smalley (CA), 5:54
164 – Dymond Guilford (CA) pin Giuliana Pepe (WA), 1:49
180 – Emily Sandoval (CA) dec. Quinn Lacy (WA), 7-1
200 – Corey Burton (CA) pin Jacey Lindner (WA), 2:57
225 – Arianna Cobian (CA) won by forfeit
100 – Kenzie Cormier (WA) pin Nina Pham (CA), 4:06
106 – Angelina Gomez (CA) tech. fall Leah Olsen (WA), 12-2, 5:08
112 – Viktorya Torres (WA) tech. fall Melanie Mendoza (CA), 14-4, 6:00
117 – Cameron Guerin (WA) dec. Alleida Martinez (CA), 5-2
122 – Payton Stroud (WA) tech. fall Rory Coscia (CA), 10-0, 1:23
127 – Brenda Reyna (WA) pin Clare Garcia (CA), 0:33
132 – Jenna Garcia (CA) dec. Joessie Gonzales (WA), 7-2
138 – McKenna Hutchison (CA) pin Nicole Clark (WA), 0:54