Local wrestlers shine at state

As the CIF State Wrestling Championships concluded Saturday night in Bakersfield, Gold Mountain California News Media schools were well represented on the podium. Del Oro High School led the way locally, sending eight boys and three girls to the state tournament and finishing 16th in the team standings. Senior Kaiya Maggini capped her career with a third-place finish at 125 pounds, reaching the state podium for the fourth and final time. Sophomore Chase Young placed eighth at 157 pounds. Junior Declan Leonard (113), junior Nate Mitchell (126) and sophomore Brynn Madden (145) each finished in the top 16. Seniors Christian Perez (120), Jamison French (165) and Evan Hilmen (175) placed in the top 12 of their brackets. Head coach Clint Madden credited the team's senior leadership. "Finishing 16th as a team in the entire state of California was definitely a team effort," Madden said. "Our senior leadership was a huge part of our success this season." Despite graduating five starters, Madden said the program returns a strong core, including Young, Masters champion Cooper Sheesely, two-time state qualifier Leonard and three-time state qualifier Mitchell. Madden also praised Young's late-season surge. "Chase really put it together the last few weeks of the season," Madden said. "Placing at the California State Championships is an incredible feat, and to do it as a sophomore is even more impressive." Folsom High School also had a strong showing, bringing six boys and three girls to state and producing multiple placers. Sophomore Pia Hill (100 pounds) and senior Kingston Cruzat (106) each placed seventh in their brackets. Junior Orion Hill reached the podium for the second straight year, finishing sixth at 138, while sophomore Peyton Ollinger advanced to the top 16 at 130. "It was a great season for us," head coach Mike Collier said. "I'm proud of our kids — whether they were on the podium today or not, they all helped contribute to our team finish." Girls coach Desinee Lopez noted Pia Hill became the program's first girls state placer in six years. "I'm so excited," Lopez said. "We've definitely had to put in work with some technique and mindset issues, but I think we adjusted at the right time of the season. Now it's about getting more girls to state, getting more placers, and I think we're on the right track." Cruzat, who will wrestle next season at San Francisco State, said he was pleased with how his senior season ended. "I'm really happy with my season, and I feel like I made the most of it," Cruzat said. He leaves the program in the hands of his younger brother, freshman Nox Cruzat, who qualified at 113 pounds. Siblings Orion and Pia Hill described the season as a stepping stone toward bigger goals. Orion rebounded from an early season upset that affected his ranking. "I believe I needed that to push myself harder to get to that next level," he said. Pia said she focused heavily on mental preparation in her second varsity season. Both are aiming for championship-round appearances next year. Oak Ridge senior Jordan Deleon placed seventh at 120 pounds to cap her career. Deleon entered the season motivated after finishing eighth last year while battling an injury sustained in the quarterfinals. She credited her work ethic and mental toughness for ending her senior year on a high note. Other local placers included Lincoln's Grace Tripp (235), who finished top 16, and Placer's Aeryn Cox (140), who placed top 12.