Sierra’s Natalie Mija (170 pounds) and Ashlee De Belen (115) tallied sixth-place finishes Saturday in the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters Wrestling Championships at Stockton Arena and will now travel to Bakersfield on Friday for the CIF State Wrestling Championships at Mechanics Bank Arena

“I feel so proud and shocked since I made it this far,” Mija said. “But with my coaches’ encouragement and hard work, I made it.”

Mija and De Belen took to the mat Saturday needing to win their first match to make it to state with Mija notching a 6-3 decision and De Belen posting a 9-7 decision.

“I’m grateful for this opportunity that I know I wouldn’t have gotten anywhere else,” De Belen said. “I’m super grateful for my coaches because without them I wouldn’t be here today.”

Timberwolves coach Alex Nuanez was pleased with his duo’s progress.

“Both girls wrestled with heart,” Nuanez said. “Both only have two years’ experience and both peaked at the right time.

“For our program to once again send wrestlers to state and be the only Manteca school to do so shows the dedication of my coaching staff and the athletes. I am very proud how all our kids competed this past weekend.”
Sierra’s Sam Perez (138), Lathrop’s Kiana Quintero (120) and Manteca’s Lilliana Rios (235) all finished one match away from state qualification.