Heritage sends 13 wrestlers to CIF Individual Championship

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Heritage High School will send 13 wrestlers to the CIF Southern Section Individual Championships next weekend.

“Heritage was moved to the Ivy League and we knew it was going to be competitive and we would have to play catch-up as the underdog in the league with well-established programs,” said head coach Oscar Nunez.

Among the CIF qualifiers is Estrella Linares-Botello, a two-year wrestler and Ivy League champion. She suffered an injury that kept her off the mat for a substantial time but her technique and ability are coming together at the right time,” Nunez said.

Freshman and first-year wrestler Edward Gutierrez finished third in the Ivy League Finals at Canyon Springs High School. Edward was moved from junior varsity to fill the void in the lineup mid-season. Nunez said he combines strength with the skills he's acquired.

Girls head coach Preciosa Moreno said, "I am very proud of how they wrestled today, every single one of them."

Coach Isaac Guerreo told the team that their hard work in the practice room is in full display on competition day. Coach Geneiveve De Leon reminded the team that it only gets tougher from this point on and that practice is of upmost importance.