Pomona Elite sent several wrestlers to compete at the U.S. Open held in Las Vegas, Nevada this weekend. Among their top-performing athletes was Ignacio Villasenor, who cemented his status as one of the top young wrestlers in the country by securing a spot on the U.S. team for the upcoming Cadet World Championships in Istanbul, Turkey.
Ignacio's road to the finals was no easy feat. He defeated the 2-seed Haakon Peterson with a score of 5-2, and the 3-seed Case Bell with a score of 8-4. In the finals, Ignacio faced off against Kavin Muyleart from American Dream WC and won both of his matches to take the title. The first match was a close 6-2 victory but then Ignacio widened the gap in the second match with an impressive 11-0 tech fall that secured his spot on the team.
In addition to Villasenor's success, several other members of the Pomona Wrestling Club also had strong showings at the World Team Trials. Derek Barrows went 1-2 at 60 KG in freestyle but took home 5th Place stop sign in Greco. Angel Serrano went 4-2 at 60 KG, Emmit Munson went 4-2 at 71 KG, and Kalob Ybarra went 2-2 at 71 KG. Marcus Gonzales went 0-2 on the week. Emerson Claeys went 2-2 in the 15U division.
For the Women's HS Showcase, Persaeus Gomez, who competed in the 122-pound division, took second place in her bracket. While dominating her way through the tournament, she lost a close match in the finals to Carissa Qureshi of Orange County RTC. Dezsa Munson competed in the 144-pound division and went 1-2 on the week.
The Pomona Wrestling coaches, including Sal Gutierrez, Sam Federico, Ben Barrows, and Vic Gomez for the Women's team, have been instrumental in preparing the wrestlers for the World Team Trials. Their guidance and support have been essential in shaping the wrestlers' performance and success.
These wrestlers embody the phrase "Nobody works harder than you" and deserve high praise for their will and determination to be the best, even in the face of adversity. Ignacio's win at the World Team Trials is a testament to his hard work, talent, and the Pomona Elite Wrestling Club's training program. We wish him and the rest of the U.S. team the best of luck as they compete in the U17 World Championships in Istanbul, Turkey. Go Team USA!