BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — More than 50 Kern County wrestlers qualified to compete in the CIF State Wrestling Championships that began on Thursday morning and will finish on Saturday.
One of two South Sequoia League representatives was Kennedy's Juan Alonso competing in the 182 weight class. The experience of matching with some of the best in state meant something a little different for the junior Thunderbird who has only been wrestling for two years.
"Fulfilling my purpose in life and you know, trying, you know, just do just do good in life," Alonso said. " I came from a very bad background and I just, it's just great to be out here, you know, and woo, I went from being in a hole to look at me now. I'm at State. I've only wrestled for two years and I feel, I feel blessed."
While a wide ranging of athletes were competing Bakersfield High School was living up to its wrestling history by having the most wrestlers in competition as the Drillers were in search of it's first individual state title since 2017.
"I love Bakersfield high school. I went to school there and a lot of tradition, a lot of pride at that school and it's exciting to wrestle in our own backyard and I'm excited for our team and see how they finish," Coach Andy Varner said.
Josiah Hill of BHS has high chances of bringing the school its first heavy weight title as he sit as the top seed in the 285 weight class. For the ladies, Frontier's Alyssa Valdivia sits in the top spot in the 106 weight class as she looks to end her historic junior season with a medal.
"To be one of the lucky wrestlers to get here is amazing. My expectations are to place on the podium. I just want to be up there. So all I want is just to place this year," Valdivia said after securing a pin in the quarterfinals.
