ATLANTA, GA. – The state of California had a successful weekend at the Women’s Collegiate Wrestling Association (WCWA) tournament as a total of 23 athletes from the golden state were triumphant in garnering All-American honors.
At 123, National Champion Dominique Parrish (Simon Fraser) was named WCWA Wrestler of the Year after winning her second national title. For the second consecutive season, Parrish had to face her teammate Alex Hedrick in the finals. This time Parrish won with a 7-2 decision. Parrish was in control of the match as she was up 7-0 at one point in the match before giving up a late takedown with seconds left on the match.
The final National Champion from California was Dymond Guilford (Missouri Baptist University) at 170. Guilford navigated her way through a loaded weight class that had six returning WCWA All-Americans in the bracket. In the finals, Guilford defeated Kiera Gabaldon (Warner Pacific) by getting the 10-0 technical fall in 2:05 of their championship match.
Freshman Angelina Gomez (Emmanuel College) also advance to the finals of the WCWA tournament at 101 but felt 4-2 to Asia Ray (Wayland Baptist University). As the No. 6 seed, Gomez was triumphant in knocking out the No. 3 and No. 2 seeds to advance to the finals. After giving up the initial takedown in the first period, Gomez turned things around by getting a takedown of her own in the second period after a fail headlock attempt by Ray. Nevertheless, Ray replied with a takedown of her own to seal the match and win a national title.
For a second consecutive year, sophomore Alex Hendricks (Simon Frasier) advance to the finals of the national tournament and met up with teammate Dominique Parrish for the 123-pound national title. Just like last year when their bout went the full six minutes, this year was the same. After being down 7-0, Hendricks exposed Parrish back for, but her comeback came a bit too late as time ran out in the period.
Sophomore Nina Pham (Wayland Baptist University) entered the tournament as the No. 3 seed and with high hopes of becoming a national champion and an All-American once again. However, her dreams were shattered when she was upset in the quarterfinal round by eventual runner-up Angelina Gomez (Emmanuel College) 8-5. Pham rebounded back by winning three consecutive matches. Including a 10-0 technical fall over Hiba Salem of Menlo College.
At 157, Alyvia Fiske (Simon Frasier) was edged out in the semis, as she lost a 9-7 decision to Iman Kazem Atherton (Menlo College). She then rebounded for a bronze medal with a 10-4 win over Hannah Gladden of Emmanuel College to conclude her sophomore season as an All-American.
California All-Americans
101 – Angelina Gomez (Emmanuel College) - 2nd
101 – Nina Pham (Wayland Baptist University) – 3rd
101 – Hiba Salem (Menlo College) – 4th
101 - Junnette Caldera (Jamestown College) – 6th
109 – Alleida Martinez (Menlo College) – NATIONAL CHAMPION
116 – Gracie Figueroa (Menlo College) – NATIONAL CHAMPION
123 – Dominique Parrish (Simon Frasier) – NATIONAL CHAMPION
123 – Alex Hedrick (Simon Frasier) – 2nd
123 – Tiana Jackson (Menlo College) – 6th
130 – Lauren Mason (Simon Frasier) – 3rd
130 – Alyssa Aceval (King University) – 7th
136 – Solin Piearcy (Menlo College) – NATIONAL CHAMPION
136 – Nicole Joseph (King University) – 2nd
136 – Jenna Garcia (Menlo College) – 5th
136 – Destiny Lyng (Oklahoma City University) - 7th
143 – Angela Peralta (Menlo College) – 8th
155 – Ima Kazem (Menlo College) – 2nd
155 – Alyvia Fiske (Simon Frasier) – 3rd
155 – Miranda Velasquez (University of Jamestown) – 8th
170 – Dymond Guilford (Missouri Baptist University) – NATIONAL CHAMPION
170 – Precious Bell (Menlo College) – 4th
191 – Alex Castillo (Campbellsville University) – 7th
191 – Sara Aguilar (Menlo College) – 8th