STOCKTON – Ripon High freshman Julianna Triplett made history Saturday afternoon, becoming the first 165-pound girls wrestler ever to capture a Sac-Joaquin Section championship.
The first Sac-Joaquin Section Girls Wrestling Invitational was held on the campus of Stockton’s McNair High School, and Triplett shined, collecting three wins on her way to the title, including a semi-final win over an Edison grappler who finished sixth at the state event held two weeks ago.
Triplett collected a second-round fall over the Edison wrestler before claiming a 10-2 three-round technical fall over a wrestler from West Campus in the title match.
“I was really excited, it was my first chance to wrestle another girl,” Triplett said. “All my friends were telling me that I could win it, but I was nervous.
“The girl from Edison was really strong, but my match against West Campus was the toughest. It went all three rounds and I tried to get her, but I finally won with a technical.”
Triplett, a freshman, was joined at the tournament by fellow freshman Hailey Owens (114 pounds), who also impressed, finishing with a win in three matches.
“We’re really happy with the way (Triplett and Owens) wrestled,” Ripon head coach Glen White said. “They’re both freshmen, and we’ve wanted to get some tough girls in the program. Ripon has a history of tough girls.
“They’ll be awesome when they’re juniors and seniors.”
White says the Indians have had problems this season with wrestlers not carrying practiced techniques onto the mat, but that both Triplett and Owens have never fallen into that category.
“Both of them have taken what they’ve learned and used it well,” White said. “Julianna already has a section title.
“We’re very happy.”
Ripon will now gear up for the Trans Valley League tournament Feb. 14.
The first Sac-Joaquin Section Girls Wrestling Invitational was held on the campus of Stockton’s McNair High School, and Triplett shined, collecting three wins on her way to the title, including a semi-final win over an Edison grappler who finished sixth at the state event held two weeks ago.
Triplett collected a second-round fall over the Edison wrestler before claiming a 10-2 three-round technical fall over a wrestler from West Campus in the title match.
“I was really excited, it was my first chance to wrestle another girl,” Triplett said. “All my friends were telling me that I could win it, but I was nervous.
“The girl from Edison was really strong, but my match against West Campus was the toughest. It went all three rounds and I tried to get her, but I finally won with a technical.”
Triplett, a freshman, was joined at the tournament by fellow freshman Hailey Owens (114 pounds), who also impressed, finishing with a win in three matches.
“We’re really happy with the way (Triplett and Owens) wrestled,” Ripon head coach Glen White said. “They’re both freshmen, and we’ve wanted to get some tough girls in the program. Ripon has a history of tough girls.
“They’ll be awesome when they’re juniors and seniors.”
White says the Indians have had problems this season with wrestlers not carrying practiced techniques onto the mat, but that both Triplett and Owens have never fallen into that category.
“Both of them have taken what they’ve learned and used it well,” White said. “Julianna already has a section title.
“We’re very happy.”
Ripon will now gear up for the Trans Valley League tournament Feb. 14.
— Brandon Petersen
