Gabby Garcia comes from a wrestling family, or, as she is quick to point out, a Valencia wrestling family.
Garcia’s two older brothers, Ryan and Robert, wrestled for Valencia. Her father also attended the school.
She was introduced to the sport at an early age.
By the time she was in the sixth grade, Garcia had captured folkstyle, freestyle and Greco-Roman titles in the boys division.
The winning continued in her high school career. Garcia won CIF State titles in each of her four years at Valencia. For her performance this season, Garcia is the Register’s girls wrestler of the year.
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ALL-COUNTY WRESTLING
• Girls wrestler of the year: Gabby Garcia, Valencia
• Boys wrestling coach of the year: Cliff Jarmie, Laguna Hills
• Boys co-wrestlers of the year: Jeremy and Justin Thomas, Calvary Chapel
• All-County boys wrestling: First team
• All-County boys wrestling: Second, third teams
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“Going into the season, people were out to beat me and take the title away,” she said. “My mindset going into my last season (of high school) was to go out and give it my all and have fun.”
Garcia proved her dominance during her run to her fourth state title. She won four matches by fall at the CIF Regional qualifier, four by fall at CIF Individuals and three by fall and two by major decision at the CIF State finals.
Garcia became just the second girls wrestler in CIF State tournament history to win four state titles. The feat has been accomplished just once in boys wrestling.
She posted a 138-2 record in high school.
Contact the writer: dcalhoun@ocregister.com
