Calle, Felix-Lopez Tops in State while Leading Huskies to Third Overall in CA
by Cerwin D Haynes
With one third-place finish, two state runner-up placers and two individual champions, East LA College women's wrestling shone bright at the first ever CCCAA Women's Wrestling State Championship (hosted by Cerritos College). A hallmark season that's been long in the making, the Huskies put their stamp on the maiden voyage of the sport by finishing third overall - their 77 team points narrowly beating out Fresno City (76 points) to take home the third-place plaque.
Five Huskies finished individually finished third or better. The following will forever be known as the first ever State placers in program history.
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Miya Galvan; Freshman - Bell Gardens
Galvan pinned Santa Ana College's Kirsten Ravelo in the Third-Place match to secure the bronze finish. She is officially the first state placer in ELAC Women's Wrestling history.
2. Ariana Valdivia-Camacho; Freshman - Rosemead
Valdivia-Camacho earned herself three wins (two pinfalls, one decision) before losing to Mt. SAC's Megan Irwin in the finals. She's your state Runner-Up for the 128-lb class.
3. Galilea Garcia-Salazar; Freshman - Schurr
Garcia-Salazar had a bye in the first round, then scored two pinfalls in the quarters and semis. She finishes as the 160-lb state Runner-Up to Sierra Mefford of Palomar College.
And now, the two Husky wrestlers who will be forever remembered as the first individual State Champions of ELAC Women's Wrestling:
4. Delilah Rhiannon Felix-Lopez; Freshman - Downey
Felix-Lopez is the program's first ever individual weight-class champion! She had a bye in the first round, then earned a pinfall in the quarterfinals followed by a 8-5 decision in the semis. In the finals, she held on to narrowly defeat Bella Devoto of Santa Rosa College by a 7-5 decision.
5. Isabella Calle; Freshman - Downey
Calle notched dominant pinfall wins in all three matches today to win the 220-lb class bracket. She gives the Huskies their second-ever State champion, and the second Downey HS product on the team to earn gold.
Needless to say, head coach Miguel Soto was very happy with the wrestlers' performances.
"Two state champions, it feels great," says Soto. "They put a lot of work to get there, great to see them finish off the season and reaching their goals".
ELAC Athletic Director Bobby Godinez was ecstatic over the team's performance today and throughout their initial season. "I'm so proud of what these girls have accomplished in just our first year," exclaimed Godinez. "Coach Soto and his staff have been amazing, and accomplished something that not many have in the many years ELAC Athletics has operated."
HUSKY BITS
- A good number of Huskies' faithful made the half-hour trip to Cerritos, including former longtime ELAC men's wrestling head coach and Hall of Famer Ralph Valle.
UP NEXT:
Normally, the State Championship concludes a typical sports season. But believe it or not, this is only the penultimate event. The Huskies have one more stop: the US Open Women's Nationals in Las Vegas next Thursday and Friday. Participant details to come.