Kicking off their wrestling season at Tokay High School, the 2025-2026 EHS varsity and JV girls attended one of the seasons toughest tournaments with over four sections represented Saturday, Nov. 29 in Lodi.
“We had three JV girls compete, getting their first high school experience,” noted head coach Derek Scott. “Of the three we had one medal with Trisha Freitas coming home with a gold medal at 120’s. She looked very tough and like she’s learning in practice from working hard. We were very encouraged with her performance.”
At the varsity level, six Lady Cougar wrestlers competed with all six earning medals.
Yahaira Munoz at 105 went 3-1 for third place.
“This was her best tournament to date and I was very pleased with her. She looked very physical and tough,” Scott said.
Also taking third place honors was Angeline Mills, going 3-1 at 110 pounds.
“I thought she had very good wins in her second and fourth matches. She looked very determined outworking and out toughing both these opponents taking them from close matches to dominating wins in the latter stages of the matches,” noted Scott.
Going 3-2 and taking sixth at 120 was Miroslava Torres.
“Miro looked good, she lost to a really good girl in the second round and should have beaten the girl in the medal round. Miro just needs to clean a few things up in the next couple of weeks and she will be just fine,” Scott said.
Wrestling very tough but just wearing down a bit late in the tournament were Sofia Duran and Yesenia Marsellis. At 140, Duran went 3-2 taking fourth place.
“She had two really good wins then looked really good in the semi’s against the two-time State runner up. I think this was the most physical and aggressive that she has ever been,” said the coach.
At 145, Marsellis looked really tough as well as physical, going 3-2 and taking fourth.
“I was pleased with her performance, she has a few technical things to fix and she will do great,” Scott pointed out.
The final EHS wrestler was Melanie Carrillo going 3-1 at heavyweight taking fifth place.
“She had the number one seed on the ropes in her first match,” Scott said. “She looked very good and I was extremely pleased with her effort and strength, toughness and willingness to stay in there and fight.”
Scott and all the assistant coaches said they were especially impressed with the team camaraderie in the first outing.
“Every girl stayed to support and root on their teammates to the very end of the tournament. We are very excited about the season for these girls,” explained Scott. “They all listened well and competed hard and what I was most impressed with is that without being told, all of them were still there to watch Melanie’s match after 6 p.m., with being up since 4 a.m. That says a lot about the character of this group.”
Along with Scott, coaches at the tournament for the girls were Austin Martinez, Kirt Smith and newcomers Isabella Alcala and Helena Arroyo.
Casa Robles Tournament
The JV boys and varsity girls then traveled to the Casa Robles tourney on Saturday, Dec. 6.
“The JV boys season got underway with a tough start. On Friday at practice Jake Faria got injured with a broken leg,” Scott said. “He’s expected back in six to eight weeks towards the end of the season. We feel really bad for Jake. It was basically a walk-through practice to get ready for the tournament.”
On the mats, Scott said the JV boys worked hard but came up against kids from much larger schools.
“Many of these kids would be varsity in our area,” admitted Scott. “We had 11 kids wrestle with only Josiah Beccerra going 2-2 and placing. The coaches stated some of the kids were unfortunate and should have gotten medals. We just have to understand the intensity required in high school wrestling and continue to get better. We can get there and the ones who want to work will get better each week to where we need them to get to be competitive this year.”
For the girls, this was their second week of action. Escalon had nine girls wrestle and all six returning varsity wrestlers medaled with two champions.
Taking fourth place, medaling in her second tournament in a row, was Melanie Carrillo at heavyweight. Taking third place was Miroslava Torres. Taking second place were Angeline Mills and Yesenia Marsellis.
Escalon came away with two champions. At 105 pounds and “looking great for the second week in a row,” said Scott, earning her first regular season tournament title in only her second season of wrestling was Yahaira Munoz.
“The coaches were all impressed with Yahaira’s toughness. In her last two matches she was behind early only to come back later in the matches and out tough the other girl,” Scott added. “I’m very happy for Yahaira and the great start she has gotten off to.”
Also looking strong for a second week in a row was Sophia Duran at 140 pounds, taking championship honors.
“She is really working hard and looking good this year,” Scott said. “The coaches were really impressed with the girls’ effort and focus.”
The wrestlers at the Casa Robles event were coached by Austin Martinez, Ray Scott, Kirt Smith, and Isabella Alcala.
