BAKERSFIELD — The Orland High girls wrestling team stands in a five-way tie for eighth place with six points after the first day of CIF State Championships Thursday at Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield.
Orland was led by No. 1-seeded Jennifer Soto in the 111-pound weight class, who won her first two matches Thursday entering Friday’s quarterfinals.
Madison Fonseca (121) also helped out Orland with a 2-0 start to the three-day tournament after entering as the No. 4 seed. Nyla Thitphaneth (235) also qualified for the state finals for Orland, falling in her first match of the tournament. She wrestled just once on the day and has a chance to stay alive in the consolation bracket Friday.
The Durham girls wrestling squad trailed Orland by just 14 points, finishing in a six-way tie for 10th place with four qualifiers.
Kai Kenney (116) won her first two matches Thursday, advancing to take on Deinee Lopez in the quarterfinals Friday. Allyson Hyatt (189) won her first round match before falling in round two to Cianna Riley of San Dimas High School. Hyatt will continue wrestling Friday in the consolation bracket.
Sofia Poblano (137) lost her first round match for Durham and Tiyanna Leal (170) won her first round and lost in round two, advancing to a consolation match Friday.
The Chico High girls wrestling team went scoreless Thursday, after first round losses by Annalyah Mendon (160) and Serena Ferea (189).
For the boys, Durham scored seven points on the day, Pleasant Valley scored four and Chico High and Gridley went scoreless on the day.
Durham was led by sophomore Jacob Christensen (220), who won his first three matches of the tournament and now enters his quarterfinal match against Erich Osteen of Chaminade. Durham’s other qualifier, Ethan Ownby (170) lost his first two matches of the day Thursday, eliminating him from contention.
Pleasant Valley senior Jake Mora (126) got his first state win of his high school career Thursday after qualifying the previous three years and going winless in each, defeating Riley Hilt of De La Salle High School in his first round match before falling in round two. Mora is still in contention, competing in the consolation bracket Friday.
For Chico High, Ben Allen (285), Bobby McCoy (182), Alex Rudkin (132) and Zach Soto (160) all went 0-2 on the day and were eliminated from the tournament.
Mere Chavez (138) lost his first round match and now awaits his consolation match with James Ost.
Gridley had one qualifier for the state finals, Dallas Stevens, who went 0-2 Thursday.
The three-day tournament continues Friday at Rabobank Arena. Consolation rounds are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. with quarterfinals starting at 3 p.m.