CERES – Ripon High’s Alayna Swilley won first place Saturday at 121 pounds in the Sac-Joaquin Section South Regional Championships at Central Valley High School and leads a contingent of five Indians wrestlers to the girls Masters Masters Championships on Friday, Feb. 16, at McNair High in Stockton.

Swilley won the gold last season at this tournament and had four pins in her five contests between Friday and Saturday.

“It’s pretty awesome,” Swilley said. “I just went out there to fight as hard as I can and win because I wanted to place first in Regionals.

“I did last year and I wanted to do it twice.”

Joining Swilly at McNair will be teammates Alyssa Oliver (126, fifth); Marissa Hernandez (111, seventh); Faith Borges (seventh, 131) and Melissa Perez (eighth, 143).  

Leading 2-1 in the third period of the championship match with Maria Rodriguez of Grace Davis of Modesto, Sierra’s Alexa Garcia (160) came through with a pin to bring home the gold. 

“I am proud of myself,” Garcia said. “It was a hard match and I was exhausted.”

Teammate Cami Jarmon (116) finished fifth.

Weston Ranch’s Karina Loya (137) finished fourth last year and pinned Tokay of Lodi’s Bryanna Bernal in the second round after a scoreless first period for the championship. Loya was whistled for a stalling violation just before getting the pin

“I was a little confused by the stalling call,” Loya said. “I guess I was riding on the side a little too much.

“She wasn’t really trying to stand up out there, so I just went for it.”

Manteca’s Azucena Rodriguez 106 finished eighth.

“It feels great to be going on,” Rodriguez said. “I have some amazing coaches right now and they have led me to a better pathway and I am very proud of where I am right now.”