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Casillas Earns Wrestling Scholarship To North Central
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With head coach Derek Scott, seated front right, and several assistant coaches in her corner, Escalon’s Julia Casillas, center, recently signed to attend North Central College in Illinois, attending the school on a wrestling scholarship. Photo Contributed

In a ceremony hosted a few weeks ago at the Escalon High School Wrestling Room, family members, coaches, teachers and friends gathered to support and celebrate Julia Casillas as she signed her letter of intent to attend North Central College in Illinois. A Division III college, Casillas will be heading there on a wrestling scholarship.

“Julia has been a part of the EHS women’s wrestling team since its humble beginnings,” said head coach Derek Scott, noting her success through the years including trips to the Masters and State Wrestling meets.

A senior and two-time Masters placer, the state qualifier ended her EHS career with a trip to the state meet, battling through injuries this season to get to the highest level of competition.

Casillas said that she has enjoyed seeing the sport of women’s wrestling grow during the four years she participated at EHS.

“It’s competition but it’s also friendly, everyone is always trying to help you,” she explained of the culture within the sport.

As far as continuing to wrestle in college, Casillas said officials at North Central College reached out to her at the end of her junior year regarding the scholarship opportunity. She is eager to wrestle in college and plans to pursue a career in orthopedic surgery.

“Julia is a hard-working great leader and teammate,” stated Scott. “Women’s wrestling has really opened up a lot of college opportunities for women. She is a quiet, just a nice young lady who’s been a pleasure to coach. Any team will be happy to have her be a member. She will be successful.”

Julia’s parents, her aunts, uncles and grandfather, along with her coaches, past and present, and several teammates and friends, were there to offer support as she signed on with the Illinois college.

“It’s great to see everyone there for her. I’m happy for Julia and her family. They are great people to be around,” Scott said.