Three Paloma girls win medals at State; team places third

The Paloma Valley High wrestling contingent with their medals and plaque for third-place team finish.

Paloma Valley High had already established itself as a powerhouse in girls wrestling, but the Wildcats had never had a performance as good as this weekend’s at the CIF State meet in Bakersfield.

Reyna Montenegro (third at 137 pounds), Makayla Correa (seventh at 121) and Karissa Turnwall (seventh at 111) became the first Paloma wrestlers ever to win medals at State. Overall, the Wildcats finished third as a team, completing an historic performance at California’s most prestigious wrestling event.

Montenegro advanced all the way to the semifinals to become Paloma Valley’s first-ever State medalist. Correa and Turnwall fought back through the consolation bracket to earn medals as well. Another Paloma Valley wrestler, Janelle Gomez, placed 12th at 143 pounds and earned the tournament’s “Victory with Honor” sportsmanship award.

It all capped off an impressive postseason in which the Wildcats won their second straight team title in the CIF Southern Section championships and sent nine wrestlers to the Masters meet – the qualifying meet for State.