The Lady Titan wrestling team makes history for Grand Terrance High School by obtaining their first ever League Championship as well as winning the Arrowhead Conference Championship proving that they are the dominate team in both Sunkist and San Andreas Leagues.
Like boxing and martial arts, wrestling is a combat sport, and it's the only combat sport that is offered by Grand Terrace High School. Since its birth in the early 1900s, High school wrestling has been viewed as a boy only sport. In recent years, girls wrestling has exploded in popularity and is now the fastest growing sport amongst High School female athletes.
This year 12 girls stepped onto the mat to represent Grand Terrace High School and grappled their way to the Sunkist League Championship as well as the Arrowhead Conference Championship sending 8 wrestlers to CIF.
Coaching the Lady Titans this Year was Head Coach Vincent Rodriguez, Girls Advisor/Coach Marissa Gonzalez, Matthew Ruelas, Brandon St. Aubin, Malaki Mailo and James Rodriguez.
"I am extremely proud with the success the girls I've had this year" says Coach Vince Rodriguez "wrestling by no means is an easy sport and it brings me great joy to see that the girls can be just as vicious as the boys while on the mat and yet still remain very ladylike while off the mat."
One of the Coaches for the Lady Titans is a former wrestler, Marissa Gonzalez who was extremely excited when her team won the League
“This season has been very successful and historic for our program” Coach Gonzalez stated “These ladies worked extremely hard to get the program to the level where it is right now. I am incredibly proud of the work they have put in and grateful to be their coach in this journey.”
The Lady Titans also won their very first tournament in Santa Ana this year beating out 42 other schools, some of which are known for their strong wrestling programs.
“When the girls were at Santa Ana I was shocked and excited when I saw our team climbing the ranks by scoring pin after pin” said Coach Rodriguez “Our girls were showing no fear and earned there team first place with sheer determination.”
Team Captain and Veteran Wrestler Jana-Rose Ramos has this to say about this season:
“It’s such a surreal experience hearing your name when you place at a tournament or when you get your hand raised after a match, however hearing that our girls team win the Arrowhead Conference Championship was incredible!”
Greisy Sanchez, a first year Wrestler, won both the individual League Champion for the Sunkist League as well as the Arrowhead Conference Championship for the 130lbs weight class.
“When I won first place for the individuals, I felt really happy and excited” Sanchez stated “I can’t describe the emotions that I felt, I couldn’t believe that I was going to CIF!”
Another Wrestling standout is Freshman Isabella Millan who recently won the CAUSA Freestyle Wrestling State Championship for the Cadet Girls 94lbs division held in Fresno.
Isabella stated “My experience this year in wrestling was great! It was my first year wrestling in High School and my experience working with my teammates, going to practice, and tournaments, was everything I wanted to do”
The Lady Titan Wrestling team was comprised of the following wrestlers:
Isabella Millan 100lbs (Sunkist League Champion)
Evelyn Arellano 110lbs (CIF Qualifier)
Jana-Rose Ramos 115lbs (Sunkist League Champion CIF Qualifier)
Emma Moreno 120lbs (Sunkist League Champion CIF Qualifier)
Roxy Powell 125lbs
Greisy Sanchez 130lbs (Sunkist league Champion and Arrowhead Conference Champion, CIF Qualifier)
Hadassah Sihaloho 135lbs (CIF Qualifier)
Calissa Henson 140lbs (CIF Qualifier)
Lillyanna Taylor 145lbs (CIF Qualifier)
Tatiana Garcia Gonzalez
Marissa Soria
Meadow Villapando
Coach Rodriguez wants to keep the girls Wrestling at Grand Terrace High School strong and hopes that next year will be just as successful.
“This year I am going to graduate a lot of seniors from the girls team which makes me very sad because I’ve coached some of them since their first high school years.” Says Coach Rodriguez “Usually girls are very timid about trying out wrestling because it’s a lot different than the more popular stereotypical ‘girl sports’ like softball and volleyball. The training is very hard and losing is also very mentally hard because you literally are losing a fight. What makes me encouraged is when others female students see the Lady Titans wrestling, it gives them a sense of empowerment and realize they can wrestle too.”