SGV/Whittier Prep Sports Zone: GIRLS WRESTLING Rankings, January 16th, 2024

Falcon, Sachs and Bartoszek are the top three ranked wrestlers in the area.

Walnut’s Anaya Falcon. (Photo: RT Tolentino).

 

1. Anaya Falcon (Walnut, 115) - The unquestioned queen of wrestling in the area and a two-time state champion, she has more than filled the cup of wrestling fans to the brim. She looked sensational at the prestigious Napa Valley Classic last week in Northern California. For the first time in a while, she got pushed in the final by Jaszime Davis of Grace Davis. Look for those two to hook up at the State finals. If you have a chance to watch her in action, which could be this weekend at Ayala HS, please do so. She is worth the price of admission. 

2. Samantha Sachs (Glendora, 125): I doubt that we will see anyone arrive on the stage faster than this talented wrestler. Two years ago, no one heard of her, and she was just starting the sport. Now, she is nationally ranked, spent a week at the USA Olympic Training Center, and has picked up where she left off on the mat from 2023. She suffered a rare loss at the Corona Queen of the Hill tournament but looked good last week at the Dick Morris Tournament in Huntington Beach. Do not be surprised to see her win a gold medal at the state tournament. The pride of the foothills.  

3. Faith Bartoszek (Northview, 140): The rich only get richer. A transfer from Wisconsin who has won a USA Wrestling National Championship, she is currently ranked seventh in the national at 140. Make no mistake, she is more than willing to scrap for six minutes nonstop, she has a motor that few have. In her only So Cal appearance, she looked sensational at the Blackwatch Tournament. She will be back in action very soon and should be one of the favorites to make a state championship match in Bakersfield for the powerful Northview program.  

4. Deandra Meza, (Walnut, 110): A fourth-place finisher at the state tournament last year, Meza looks possessed to making a state final this year. All the proof you need came at the Queen of the Hill Tournament where she made short work of Tesoro’s Sophia Cornish with a quick first-period pin. She was Walnut’s other individual winner at Napa Valley last week. Those inside the program wonder what she is better at, wrestling or photography. All kidding aside, she gives the valley another solid contender to win a state title.  

5. BK Martinez (Ayala, 115): In any other year, this wrestler would be near the top of the rankings. But the area is chock full of talented wrestlers, and she is one of them. She is a returning state qualifier who has a second-place finish at the Walnut tournament as part of a solid resume. Looking forward to a big performance from her at the Ayala Tournament this weekend.  

6. Jasmine Macias (Walnut, 130): Many consider her the second-best wrestler at 130 pounds, behind returning state finalist Lilyana Balderas from Anaheim. The senior took third at the Napa Valley Tournament last week and was fourth at the Queen of the Hill Tournament (losing to Balderas in a third-place match). She also earned MVP Honors at the Lady Saints Invitational in Santa Ana. Cecil Sebastian is turning out some talented wrestlers these days.  

7. Ysabella Hinojosa (Northview, 120): Time to head back into the Northview wrestling room for another freshman who is poised to make some serious noise for the next four years. She opened her eyes at the Norco Tournament with a first-place effort and finished in fourth place at the Dick Morris Tournament in Huntington Beach. Look for her to give Falcon a run for her money next year if Falcon decides to jump to 120.  

8. Isabella Sosa (Schurr, 190): The west side of the valley also produced a talented wrestler in the upper weights and this grappler is right there with the top wrestlers in the section. She has won three tournaments this year, including last week’s event at Huntington Beach, and took second place at the Blackwatch Tournament. Looking to make another run in the postseason and become the second Schurr girls wrestler to make a state final.  

9. Jade Seitz (San Dimas, 190): Here is the other talented upper-weight wrestler who comes from the solid San Dimas wrestling room. She has two registered wins this year at the San Dimas and Bonita (Top Gun) tournaments and finished in fourth place at one of the top tournaments in Texas. Showing the senior leadership that the program needs from her in 2024.  

10. Juelz Taylor (West Covina, 120): Ask anyone inside the West Covina program and they will tell you that Taylor is the toughest girl in their room. That explains why she pulled out a 3-1 win over Colony’s Aubrey Hernandez to win the 120-pound title. She also has a nice win over Chater Oak’s Zoe Lopez in the semifinals. It was her first tournament win of the year with a third-place performance at the Lady Blackwatch tournament, her previous best effort.