Paloma Valley wrestlers continue big season this weekend

The Paloma Valley High School boys wrestling team is sending a large contingent to the CIF individual championships this weekend, with six wrestlers highly ranked in their bids to win individual titles.

The leading contender is Savion Dixon, a league champion who is ranked first in his weight class and could become the first CIF wrestling champion in school history. Other wrestlers on that team ranked in the top three heading into the meet are Devin Gallardo (2), Cole Acosta (3), Israel Webster (2), Arturo Cabrera (2) and Adrian Cabrera (2). All six won league titles this season, trying a school record for most league champions in a season.

Both the boys and girls teams were undefeated in winning Sunbelt League team championships. The boys made it to the semifinals of the CIF team competition, losing a close dual meet to Carter High School, 41-30. The girls team placed seven wrestlers in the regionals in only the third year of the program. A program-best list of seven players included Jayden Vonmoos, Lelaina Navarro, Brianna Garcia, Krystal Garlejo, Gabriela Espionza, Stephanie Ramirez and Kassandra Ayard.

Navarro finished fourth at the CIF finals and qualified for the state meet for the second time. This is the third year in a row Paloma is sending a girl to the state meet. That will take place Feb. 23-24.