Girls’ wrestling fights for the top spot
On the mat, the Newbury Park High School [NPHS] girls wrestling team has dueled its way to the top. This season, the team was Marmonte League champions and made it to the quarter-finals of CIF duals.
For senior co-captain Madison Black, this season has been the culmination of her high school wrestling career, currently undefeated 37-0. With a background in jujitsu, Black began wrestling in her freshman year. When getting on the mat for a match, she tunes out the rest of the gym. “The number one thing that’s on my mind is getting to my positioning, making sure I’m winning ties and just wrestling,” Black said.
The wrestling team’s qualification for CIF dual was dependent on their performance this season, of which they only lost 2 duals. Duals are an entire team event, where each wrestler from NPHS participates in a match against an opponent team. For Evan Watt, senior and co-captain, the team made it. “The most memorable part of CIF duals was after we won our first dual, because we were all really excited,” Watt said, “because it had put us farther than we made it last year.” Several members also made to CIF individuals Feb. 13-14.
In order to prepare for matches, each practice consists of CrossFit-style workouts, cardio, endurance and technical drilling. “I can see the fact that spending a lot of time on conditioning and technique is making us all on a higher level,” Watt said. Along with several other senior girls, she has been wrestling since freshman year.
Tyler Ruiz, head coach, has been with the girls wrestling team for the past three years, working with experienced players on varsity and those new to the sport on junior varsity. Through the years, he has watched his team grow and develop their skills, leading to their fourth-place CIF score. “Their technical skills, their mindset, their grit is a little bit tougher [compared to previous seasons], a little bit older and a little bit more technically sound,” Ruiz said.
As team captains, Black and Watt work together to motivate their players and create a cohesive environment in practice and in competition. “My responsibility is to make sure that our girls are safe and healthy and are competing at the highest level that they can compete at, that comes with a little tough love,” Black said.
