LEMOORE –For Jasmine Ivey the end could not have been any sweeter. In a short period of time, the Lathrop Spartan has solidified herself as one of the school’s premiere student-athletes with a third place finish in the CIF State Girls Wrestling Invitational Championships at Lemoore High.
Ivey bounced back after a semifinal loss to get a pin in the consolation semifinal before outlasting her final opponent 10-8 in sudden-death overtime. Ivey landed a two-point take down and secured herself in Lathrop Spartan history.
“I think it is one of the biggest if not the biggest thing that has happened for Lathrop High wrestling so far,” Lathrop head coach Vince Garcia said. “For girls wrestling she’s it for us. In my book they’re (boys and girls) even in my book. Jasmine has done some big things in wrestling I just two years.
“For Lathrop wrestling this takes us up to a new level.”
East Union standout Sarah Phillips was the lone other wrestler to return with a medal, earning her third consecutive placing in the tournament’s first three years with a fifth place finish. Phillips improved on her sixth place finish from a year ago after earning a fourth place medal as a sophomore.
It didn’t come easy for Phillips, as she scored a 2-point takedown in overtime for her third trip to the podium. The third placing cements Phillips’ name in the wrestling archives.
“I believe I have been a good influence on girls wrestling,” Phillips said. “The sport is growing and I think if girls see people like me going out there and excelling more girls are going to wrestle.
“It has just been eat, breath and sleep wrestling no matter what. It’s kind of sad it is coming to and end.”
Weston Ranch’s Alyssa Cantu made it to the tournament’s second day, but suffered a consolation loss to end her season.