The Moore League girls’ wrestling season is underway and The562 checked in around the city to catch up with the local teams.
Long Beach Poly is looking to repeat as league champ after the Jackrabbits dual against Millikan went to the rule book tiebreakers to decide the winner. Poly came away with the win after the match ended in a tie, and will look to stay on top in 2024-25.
The Jackrabbits return three league champions in Reighlene Valdez, Berlynn Solia-Tago and Dalila Preciado.
Their experience will be leaned on to help new faces to the program like Riley Pestanas and Daniella Angelas.
“We’re looking forward to what this season entails,” Poly coach Ken Lee said. “After a successful season last year, we are looking to build on that success with our key returners and looking to the younger wrestlers step up to the plate.”
Over in East Long Beach, Millikan and coach Daniel Lopez are back to business as usual as the Rams look to make a return to the top of the Moore League.
“We expect to compete for a CIF title every year and hopefully bring the league Championship back to Millikan,” Lopez said. “Girls’ wrestling is on the rise and the league will be as competitive as ever this year. I’m looking forward to the growth and development of these wrestlers throughout the year. The goal is to peak come playoff time.”
Millikan doesn’t return any of their four Moore League champions from last season, but Jaelen Escala, Gabriella Bonilla, Isabella Martinez and Callie Carrillo return for the Rams after making it to the league championship match in their weight classes.
That experience will help with the return of senior Lindsey Kersey who had to sit out last season. Millikan also returns Sophomore Olivia Fernandez and the Rams are excited about freshmen Ava Gomez, Illianna Pichardo and Rozelyn Avina.
Lopez is also looking for big contributions from juniors Kayde Precido and Amiya McIntyre who were both finalists in tournaments this season.
Wilson returns their lone Moore League champion with Hailey Fenton. Fenton will be a leader for the team as a senior captain.
Making their return to the team with Fenton are Adrienne Malsberger, Madi Emigh, Jocelyn Flores, Vivian Sprenger and Max McGill.
At Lakewood, Ashley “Maxx” Wafer (above, right) is looking to lead the Lancers after an impressive sophomore season that included runner-up runs at Moore League, CIF, and the Masters tournament before finishing 4th in the state.
The Lancers also return two Moore League champs with Mia Pryor and Jaclynn Dado. Lakewood also has Esper Sanchez and Kayla Selvidge who have had impressive runs in the Moore League final. Sanchez was a runner-up last season, while Selvidge has won two Moore League titles.
Lakewood had some newcomers to the team with Lucas Wilson, Kaylee Muk and Fallon Jones.
“We return 20 girls from last year‘s roster,” Lakewood coach Randy Gonzalez said. “I think we might be able to compete for a Moore league title and possibly be a CIF dual team finalist. If the team works hard anything is possible.”
Cabrillo has one wrestler with Julianna Reyes who will compete at the 105 weight class.
“She will be a standout, no doubt,” Cabrillo coach Vince Ortiz said. “I guarantee she will be competing at CIF this year with only wrestling for about 4-5 months. I’m hoping as I was able to do with Jacob Castillo (from last year’s boys’ team) – that her success will draw more girls to the program.”
Compton and Jordan will also be back in action, with the Panthers looking to continue their success after having two grapplers make it to the Moore League title match last season.
Last Season’s Moore League Team Champ: Long Beach Poly
Last Season’s Moore League Individual Champs:
105: Millikan’s Nohea Booth
110: Millikan’s Nataly Cardenas
115: Poly’s Kristine Comia
120: Poly’s Roselyn Uce
125: Lakewood’s Jaslynn Dado
130: Wilson’s Hailey Fenton
135: Poly’s Dalila Preciado
140: Lakewood’s Mia Pryor
145: Millikan’s Madison Oliver
155: Poly’s Berlynn Solia-Tago
170: Poly’s Selieni Paseka
190: Poly’s Raven Ross
235: Millikan’s Helen Martinez
